Some of us were dashed to pieces , and some drowned ; and those who were left got away to Eldey , and the dovekies tell me they are all dead now , and that another Gairfowlskerry has risen out of the sea close to the old one , but that it is such a poor flat place that it is not safe to live on : and so here I am left alone . '' This was the Gairfowl 's story , and , strange as it may seem , it is every word of it true . `` If you only had had wings ! '' said Tom ; `` then you might all have flown away too . '' `` Yes , young gentleman : and if people are not gentleman and ladies , and forget that noblesse oblige , they will find it as easy to get on in the world as other people who do n't care what they do . Why , if I had not recollected that noblesse oblige , I should not have been all alone now . '' And the poor old lady sighed . `` How was that , ma'am ? '' `` Why , my dear , a gentleman came hither with me , and after we had been here some time , he wanted to marry -- in fact , he actually proposed to me . Well , I ca n't blame him ; I was young , and very handsome then , I do n't deny : but you see , I could not hear of such a thing , because he was my deceased sister 's husband , you see ? '' `` Of course not , ma'am , '' said Tom ; though , of course , he knew nothing about it . `` She was very much diseased , I suppose ? '' `` You do not understand me , my dear . I mean , that being a lady , and with right and honourable feelings , as our house always has had , I felt it my duty to snub him , and howk him , and peck him continually , to keep him at his proper distance ; and , to tell the truth , I once pecked him a little too hard , poor fellow , and he tumbled backwards off the rock , and -- really , it was very unfortunate , but it was not my fault -- a shark coming by saw him flapping , and snapped him up . And since then I have lived all alone - ` With a fal-lal-la-lady . ' And soon I shall be gone , my little dear , and nobody will miss me ; and then the poor stone will be left all alone . '' `` But , please , which is the way to Shiny Wall ? '' said Tom . `` Oh , you must go , my little dear -- you must go . Let me see -- I am sure -- that is -- really , my poor old brains are getting quite puzzled .
Do you know , my little dear , I am afraid , if you want XXXXX know , you must ask some of these vulgar birds about , for I have quite forgotten . ''
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