THE WATER BABIES
"And so, if you do not know that things are wrong, that is no reason why you should not be punished for them; though not as much, not as much, my little man" (and the lady looked very kindly, after all) "as if you did know."
"Well, you are a little hard on a poor lad," said Tom.
"Not at all; I am the best friend you ever had in all your life. But I will tell you: I cannot help punishing people when they do wrong. I like it no more than they do; I am often very, very sorry for them, poor things, but I cannot help it. If I tried not to do it, I should do it all the same. For I work by machinery, just like an engine, and am full of wheels and springs inside, and am wound up very carefully, so that I cannot help going."
"Was it long ago since they wound you up?" asked Tom. For he thought, the cunning little fellow, "She will run down some day, or they may forget to wind her up, as old Grimes used to forget to wind up his watch when he came in from the public-house; and then I shall be safe."
"I was wound up once and for all, so long ago, that I forget all about it."
"Dear me," said Tom, "you must have been made a long time!"
"I never was made, my child; and I shall go for ever and ever, for I am as old as Eternity, and yet as young as Time."
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