Thus Rose G. Kingsley, in a preface to her father's fairy tale, describes the impromptu manner in which _The Water-Babies_ was written. Dashed off for the pleasure of his own little son, this book has charmed and entertained thousands of children for more than fifty years, and has undoubtedly in many cases taught "what a fine thing it is to love truth, mercy, justice, courage, and all things noble and of good report." THE EDITOR. [Illustration] [Illustration] CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I 1 CHAPTER II 37 CHAPTER III 67 CHAPTER IV 102 CHAPTER V 129 CHAPTER VI 165 CHAPTER VII 194 CHAPTER VIII 229 [Illustration] ILLUSTRATIONS He looked up at the broad yellow moon . . . and thought that she looked at him _Frontispiece_ PAGE He felt how comfortable it was to have nothing on him but himself 68 "Oh, don't hurt me!" cried Tom. "I only want to look at you; you are so handsome" 98 And Tom sat upon the buoy long days 110 He felt the net very heavy; and lifted it out quickly, with Tom all entangled in the meshes 124 Tom reached and clawed down the hole after him 132 Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid 172 Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby 258 THE WATER-BABIES [Illustration] [Illustration] THE WATER-BABIES CHAPTER I