His mamma , instead of flying , wrapped her fins round him , and dived as far as the line allowed . Then she came up , and dashed at the boats in great rage and anguish , entirely regardless of the danger she was in . The men struck my son , in order to get her , and they soon succeeded ; but even then , in spite of her suffering , she did not try to escape , but clung to little Spouter till both were killed . Alas ! alas ! '' Here the poor bone creaked so dismally , Freddy feared it would tumble to pieces , and bring the story to an end too soon . `` Do n't think of those sorrowful things , '' he said ; `` tell me how you came to be here . Were you harpooned ? '' `` Not I ; for I 've been very careful all my life to keep out of the way of danger : I 'm not like one of my relations , who attacked a ship , gave it such a dreadful blow that he made a great hole , the water rushed in , and the vessel was wrecked . But he paid dearly for that prank ; for a few months afterward another ship harpooned him very easily , finding two spears still in him , and a wound in his head . I forgot to mention , that the Sperms have fine ivory teeth , and make ambergris , -- a sort of stuff that smells very nice , and costs a great deal . I give you these little facts about my family , as you seem interested , and it 's always well to improve the minds of young people . '' `` You are very kind ; but will you be good enough to tell about yourself ? '' said Freddy again ; for the bone seemed to avoid that part of the story , as if he did n't want to tell it . `` Well , if I must , I must ; but I 'm sorry to confess what a fool I 've been . You know what coral is , do n't you ? '' `` No , '' said Freddy , wondering why it asked . `` Then I must tell you , I suppose . There is a bit in the house there , -- that rough , white , stony stuff on the table in the parlor . It 's full of little holes , you know .
Well , those XXXXX are the front doors of hundreds of little polypes , or coral worms , who build the great branches of coral , and live there .
head holes house life line parlor prank spite story things