Out of a low cave of rock , at the foot of a limestone crag , the great fountain rose , quelling , and bubbling , and gurgling , so clear that you could not tell where the water ended and the air began ; and ran away under the road , a stream large enough to turn a mill ; among blue geranium , and golden globe-flower , and wild raspberry , and the bird-cherry with its tassels of snow . And there Grimes stopped , and looked ; and Tom looked too . Tom was wondering whether anything lived in that dark cave , and came out at night to fly in the meadows . But Grimes was not wondering at all . Without a word , he got off his donkey , and clambered over the low road wall , and knelt down , and began dipping his ugly head into the spring -- and very dirty he made it . Tom was picking the flowers as fast as he could . The Irishwoman helped him , and showed him how to tie them up ; and a very pretty nosegay they had made between them . But when he saw Grimes actually wash , he stopped , quite astonished ; and when Grimes had finished , and began shaking his ears to dry them , he said : `` Why , master , I never saw you do that before . '' `` Nor will again , most likely . 'T was n't for cleanliness I did it , but for coolness . I 'd be ashamed to want washing every week or so , like any smutty collier lad . '' `` I wish I might go and dip my head in , '' said poor little Tom . `` It must be as good as putting it under the town-pump ; and there is no beadle here to drive a chap away . '' `` Thou come along , '' said Grimes ; `` what dost want with washing thyself ? Thou did not drink half a gallon of beer last night , like me . '' `` I do n't care for you , '' said naughty Tom , and ran down to the stream , and began washing his face . Grimes was very sulky , because the woman preferred Tom 's company to his ; so he dashed at him with horrid words , and tore him up from his knees , and began beating him . But Tom was accustomed to that , and got his head safe between Mr. Grimes ' legs , and kicked his shins with all his might . `` Are you not ashamed of yourself , Thomas Grimes ? '' cried the Irishwoman over the wall .
Grimes looked up , startled at her knowing his name ; but all he answered was , `` No , nor never was yet ; '' and went on beating XXXXX .
Grimes Irishwoman Thou Tom collier crag shins thyself town-pump week