the side of the boat.

"Why?" asked the child.

"We heard you say yesterday you would like to see a mermaid, and so
we decided to grant your wish."

"That was real nice of you," said Trot gratefully.

"Also, we heard all the foolish things Cap'n Bill said about us,"
remarked the brown-haired one smilingly, "and we wanted to prove to
him that they were wrong."

"I on'y said what I've heard," protested Cap'n Bill. "Never havin'
seen a mermaid afore, I couldn't be ackerate, an' I never expected
to see one an' live to tell the tale."

Again the cave rang with merry laughter, and as it died away, Trot
said, "May I see your scales, please? And are they green and purple
and pink like Cap'n Bill said?" They seemed undecided what to say to
this and swam a little way off, where the beautiful heads formed a
group that was delightful to see. Perhaps they talked together, for
the brown-haired mermaid soon came back to the side of the boat and
asked, "Would you like to visit our kingdom and see all the wonders
that exist below the sea?"

"I'd like to," replied Trot promptly, "but I couldn't. I'd get
drowned."

"That you would, mate!" cried Cap'n Bill.