`` 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 , in the most charmingly obliging way . '' `` So there are babies in the sea ? '' cried Tom , and clapped his little hands . `` Then I shall have some one to play with there ? How delightful ! '' `` Were there no babies up this stream ? '' asked the lady salmon . `` No ! and I grew so lonely .
I thought I saw three last night ; but they were gone in an instant , down XXXXX the sea .
as at before in of on since that to up