sandy bottom. A funny-looking crab was sticking his head out from
each of these shells.

"These are the hermit crabs," said one of the mermaids. "They steal
these shells and live in them so no enemies can attack them."

"Don't they get lonesome?" asked Trot.

"Perhaps so, my dear. But they do not seem to mind being lonesome.
They are great cowards, and think if they can but protect their
lives there is nothing else to care for. Unlike the jolly crabs we
have just left, the hermits are cross and unsociable."

"Oh, keep quiet and go away!" said one of the hermit crabs in a
grumpy voice. "No one wants mermaids around here." Then every crab
withdrew its head into its shell, and our friends saw them no more.

"They're not very polite," observed Trot, following the mermaid as
Merla swam upward into the middle water.

"I know now why cross people are called 'crabbed,'" said Cap'n Bill.
"They've got dispositions jes' like these 'ere hermit crabs."

Presently they came upon a small flock of mackerel, and noticed that
the fishes seemed much excited. When they saw the mermaid, they
cried out, "Oh, Merla! What do you think? Our Flippity has just gone
to glory!"

"When?" asked the mermaid.