Do rest yourself behind this rock ; '' and he shoved her gently with his nose , to the rock where Tom sat . You must know that this was the salmon 's wife . For salmon , like other true gentlemen , always choose their lady , and love her , and are true to her , and take care of her and work for her , and fight for her , as every true gentleman ought ; and are not like vulgar chub and roach and pike , who have no high feelings , and take no care of their wives . Then he saw Tom , and looked at him very fiercely one moment , as if he was going to bite him . `` What do you want here ? '' he said , very fiercely . `` Oh , do n't hurt me ! '' cried Tom . `` I only want to look at you ; you are so handsome . '' `` Ah ? '' said the salmon , very stately but very civilly . `` I really beg your pardon ; I see what you are , my little dear . I have met one or two creatures like you before , and found them very agreeable and well-behaved . Indeed , one of them showed me a great kindness lately , which I hope to be able to repay . I hope we shall not be in your way here . As soon as this lady is rested , we shall proceed on our journey . '' What a well-bred old salmon he was ! `` So you have seen things like me before ? '' asked Tom . `` Several times , my dear .
Indeed , it was only last night that one at the river 's mouth came and warned me and my wife of some new stake-nets which had got into the stream , I can not tell how , since last winter , and showed us the way round them , XXXXX the most charmingly obliging way . ''
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