When , hey presto ; all the thing 's donkey-face came off in a moment , and out popped a long arm with a pair of pincers at the end of it , and caught Tom by the nose . It did not hurt him much ; but it held him quite tight . `` Yah , ah ! Oh , let me go ! '' cried Tom . `` Then let me go , '' said the creature . `` I want to be quiet . I want to split . '' Tom promised to let him alone , and he let go . `` Why do you want to split ? '' said Tom . `` Because my brothers and sisters have all split , and turned into beautiful creatures with wings ; and I want to split too . Do n't speak to me . I am sure I shall split . I will split ! '' Tom stood still , and watched him . And he swelled himself , and puffed , and stretched himself out stiff , and at last -- crack , puff , bang -- he opened all down his back , and then up to the top of his head . And out of his inside came the most slender , elegant , soft creature , as soft and smooth as Tom : but very pale and weak , like a little child who has been ill a long time in a dark room . It moved its legs very feebly ; and looked about it half ashamed , like a girl when she goes for the first time into a ballroom ; and then it began walking slowly up a grass stem to the top of the water . Tom was so astonished that he never said a word but he stared with all his eyes .
And he went up to the top XXXXX the water too , and peeped out to see what would happen .
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