water gnats that are worse than mosquitoes, and we have to put up
netting on our bedroom windows to keep them out."

As she finished speaking they approached the door of the castle, on
which she knocked with a flap of her finny tail. It was immediately
opened by a merman dressed in the uniform of a court page. "What
can I do for you, Your Highness?" he asked, bowing low.

"Why, are you a princess?" asked Mary Louise in surprise, turning
quickly to the mermaid and forgetting for the moment that they were
on the steps of a real merman's castle.

The little mermaid only laughed in reply, and taking Mary Louise by
the hand led her through the coral doors to King Seaphus.

His Majesty was seated on a throne of pearl, studded with many precious
stones. A long emerald robe fell from his shoulders and on his head
rested a magnificent crown set with glittering jewels, which gleamed
and sparkled in the dim light of the royal chamber.

"Ah, my daughter, whom have you here?" he asked, leaning from the
throne and gazing intently at little Mary Louise. "Methinks she is
a mermaidized mortal!" At which the King laughed loudly, for he was
very fond of coining words and was busily engaged, when his state
duties did not interfere, in compiling a new dictionary.

"You are right, Father Seaphus," replied his beautiful daughter.
"Let me introduce little Mary Louise."

The King rose graciously and extended his royal right hand. Mary