their sponge-covered couches. The little girl never wakened until
long after the sun was shining down through the glass roof of her
room, and when she opened her eyes she was startled to find a number
of big, small and middle-sized fishes staring at her through the
glass. "That's one bad thing 'bout this mermaid palace," she said to
herself. "It's too public. Ever'thing in the sea can look at you
through the glass as much as it likes. I wouldn't mind fishes
looking at me if they hadn't such big eyes, an'--goodness me!
There's a monster that's all head! And there goes a fish with a sail
on its back, an' here's old Mummercubble, I'm sure, for he's got a
head just like a pig."

She might have watched the fishes on the roof for hours, had she not
remembered it was late and breakfast must be ready. So she dressed
and made her toilet, and swam down into the palace to find Cap'n
Bill and the mermaids politely waiting for her to join them. The sea
maidens were as fresh and lovely as ever, while each and all proved
sweet tempered and merry, even at the breakfast table--and that is
where people are cross, if they ever are. During the meal the queen
said, "I shall take you this morning to the most interesting part of
the ocean, where the largest and most remarkable sea creatures live.
And we must visit King Anko, too, for the sea serpent would feel
hurt and slighted if I did not bring my guests to call upon him."

"That will be nice," said Trot eagerly.

But Cap'n Bill asked, "Is there any danger, ma'am?"

"I think not," replied Queen Aquareine. "I cannot say that you will
be exposed to any danger at all, so long as I'm with you. But we are