"Sleep, little sister, for when you awake,
We'll have a fine dinner of fishes and cake!"

I think the mermaid took somewhat after her royal father for she
often spoke in rhyme, which she composed as she talked, while his
great delight, as has been mentioned before, was to coin a new word
for his dictionary.

Leaving Mary Louise to her slumbers, the princess mermaid sat herself
down before her mirror and combed her hair. Presently, she went over
to her wardrobe and took out a beautiful shimmery pink shawl. What
it was made of I cannot tell, except that it shivered and quivered
with little colors like a rainbow. Perhaps it was made of changeable
sea-silk.

At any rate, Mary Louise, who at that moment opened her eyes, thought
it was the most exquisite thing she had ever seen.

"Is it really for me? Is it really?" she asked with a cry of delight,
as the mermaid came toward her.

"Of course it is, my dear," replied the mermaid princess," and as soon
as you have put it on, and combed your hair--you needn't wash your
hands and face, you know--the banquet will be ready."

Mary Louise clapped her hands and hopped, or, rather, flopped about,
so happy was she to receive such a gift in the depths of the sea.

When she was dressed in the lovely shawl, and a beautiful
mother-of-pearl comb fastened in her hair, the princess mermaid declared