And all of a sudden he found himself , not in the outhouse on the hay , but in the middle of a meadow , over the road , with the stream just before him , saying continually , `` I must be clean , I must be clean . '' He had got there on his own legs , between sleep and awake , as children will often get out of bed , and go about the room , when they are not quite well . But he was not a bit surprised , and went on to the bank of the brook , and lay down on the grass , and looked into the clear , clear limestone water , with every pebble at the bottom bright and clean , while the little silver trout dashed about in fright at the sight of his black face ; and he dipped his hand in and found it so cool , cool , cool ; and he said , `` I will be a fish ; I will swim in the water ; I must be clean , I must be clean . '' So he pulled off all his clothes in such haste that he tore some of them , which was easy enough with such ragged old things . And he put his poor hot sore feet into the water ; and then his legs ; and the farther he went in , the more the church-bells rang in his head . `` Ah , '' said Tom , `` I must be quick and wash myself ; the bells are ringing quite loud now ; and they will stop soon , and then the door will be shut , and I shall never be able to get in at all . '' Tom was mistaken : for in England the church doors are left open all service time , for everybody who likes to come in , Churchman or Dissenter ; ay , even if he were a Turk or a Heathen ; and if any man dared to turn him out , as long as he behaved quietly , the good old English law would punish that man , as he deserved , for ordering any peaceable person out of God 's house , which belongs to all alike . But Tom did not know that , any more than he knew a great deal more which people ought to know . And all the while he never saw the Irishwoman , not behind him this time , but before . For just before he came to the river side , she had stept down into the cool clear water ; and her shawl and her petticoat floated off her , and the green water-weeds floated round her sides , and the white water-lilies floated round her head , and the fairies of the stream came up from the bottom and bore her away and down upon their arms ; for she was the Queen of them all ; and perhaps of more besides . `` Where have you been ? '' they asked her . `` I have been smoothing sick folks ' pillows , and whispering sweet dreams into their ears ; opening cottage casements , to let out the stifling air ; coaxing little children away from gutters , and foul pools where fever breeds ; turning women from the gin-shop door , and staying men 's hands as they were going to strike their wives ; doing all I can to help those who will not help themselves : and little enough that is , and weary work for me . But I have brought you a new little brother , and watched him safe all the way here . '' Then all the fairies laughed for joy at the thought that they had a little brother coming . `` But mind , maidens , he must not see you , or know that you are here . He is but a savage now , and like the beasts which perish ; and from the beasts which perish he must learn . So you must not play with him , or speak to him , or let him see you : but only keep him from being harmed . '' Then the fairies were sad , because they could not play with their new brother , but they always did what they were told . And their Queen floated away down the river ; and whither she went , thither she came .
But all this Tom , of course , never saw or heard : and perhaps if he had it would have made little difference in the story ; for was so hot and thirsty , and longed so to be clean for once , XXXXX he tumbled himself as quick as he could into the clear cool stream .
For So as behind from like of that upon while