Then , when next week came , he had his share again ; and again the fairy looked him full in the face ; but more sadly than she had ever looked . And he could not bear the sweets : but took them again in spite of himself . And when Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby came , he wanted to be cuddled like the rest ; but she said very seriously : `` I should like to cuddle you ; but I can not , you are so horny and prickly . '' And Tom looked at himself : and he was all over prickles , just like a sea-egg . Which was quite natural ; for you must know and believe that people 's souls make their bodies just as a snail makes its shell -LRB- I am not joking , my little man ; I am in serious , solemn earnest -RRB- . And therefore , when Tom 's soul grew all prickly with naughty tempers , his body could not help growing prickly , too , so that nobody would cuddle him , or play with him , or even like to look at him . What could Tom do now but go away and hide in a corner and cry ? For nobody would play with him , and he knew full well why . And he was so miserable all that week that when the ugly fairy came and looked at him once more full in the face , more seriously and sadly than ever , he could stand it no longer , and thrust the sweetmeats away , saying , `` No , I do n't want any : I ca n't bear them now , '' and then burst out crying , poor little man , and told Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid every word as it happened . He was horribly frightened when he had done so ; for he expected her to punish him very severely . But , instead , she only took him up and kissed him , which was not quite pleasant , for her chin was very bristly indeed ; but he was so lonely-hearted , he thought that rough kissing was better than none . `` I will forgive you , little man , '' she said . `` I always forgive every one the moment they tell me the truth of their own accord . '' `` Then you will take away all these nasty prickles ? '' `` That is a very different matter . You put them there yourself , and only you can take them away . '' `` But how can I do that ? '' asked Tom , crying afresh . `` Well , I think it is time for you to go to school ; so I shall fetch you a schoolmistress , who will teach you how to get rid of your prickles . '' And so she went away .
Tom was frightened at the notion of a school-mistress ; for he thought she would certainly come with a birch-rod or a cane ; but he comforted himself , at last , that she might be something like the old woman in Vendale -- which she was not in the least ; XXXXX , when the fairy brought her , she was the most beautiful little girl that ever was seen , with long curls floating behind her like a golden cloud , and long robes floating all round her like a silver one .
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