IX . THE WHALE 'S STORY . Freddy sat thinking on the seat under the trees . It was a wide , white seat , about four feet long , sloping from the sides to the middle , something like a swing ; and was not only comfortable but curious , for it was made of a whale 's bone . Freddy often sat there , and thought about it for he was very much interested in it , and nobody could tell him any thing of it , except that it had been there a long time . `` Poor old whale , I wonder how you got here , where you came from , and if you were a good and happy creature while you lived , '' said Freddy , patting the old bone with his little hand . It gave a great creak ; and a sudden gust of air stirred the trees , as if some monster groaned and sighed . Then Freddy heard a strange voice , very loud , yet cracked and queer , as if some one tried to talk with a broken jaw . `` Freddy ahoy ! '' called the big voice . `` I 'll tell you all about it ; for you are the only person who ever pitied me , or cared to know any thing about me . '' `` Why , can you talk ? '' asked Freddy , very much astonished and a little frightened . `` Of course I can , for this is a part of my jaw-bone . I should talk better if my whole mouth was here ; but I 'm afraid my voice would then be so loud you would n't be able to hear it . I do n't think any one but you would understand me , any way . It is n't every one that can , you know ; but you are a thoughtful little chap , with a lively fancy as well as a kind heart , so you shall hear my story . '' `` Thank you , I should like it very much , if you would please to speak a little lower , and not sigh ; for your voice almost stuns me , and your breath nearly blows me away , '' said Freddy . `` I 'll try : but it 's hard to suit my tone to such a mite , or to help groaning when I think of my sad fate ; though I deserve it , perhaps , '' said the bone , more gently . `` Were you a naughty whale ? ''
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Freddy ahoy feet heart jaw-bone middle sigh something tone whale