The Sea Fairies

sunshine above the ocean's surface, but every object was distinct nevertheless, as if she saw through a pane of green-tainted glass. The water was very clear except for this green

gh anything at all," s

' as we're under water so far. What bothers me most is ho

gills?" she asked, lifting he

s haven't any, either,

ot, "we're brea

rincess said, "You have guessed correctly, my dear. G

asked Tro

before

ranches like those of trees. Not all of them were green, however, for the branches and leaves were of a variety of gorgeous colors. Some were purple, shading down to a light lavender; and there were reds all the way from

ether that their branches entwined; but there were several avenues leading into the groves, and at the

ed the Princess as she led the

ang'rous?"

ntrances to the gardens which surround our palaces. If any creatures try to enter uninvited, these guards fi

an' stick their swords right th

s," explained the Princess. "These, who are our serva

ding the entrance made way for them to pass, afterward resuming their posts with watchful eyes. As they slowly swam along the avenue, Trot n

lorings. Although Trot did not know it, these flowers resembled the rare orchids of earth in their fanciful shapes and marvelous hues. Th

nt of the main palace, which now faced them, had circular ends connecting the straight wall, not unlike the architecture w

ated. Princess Clia and Merla leading Trot and Cap'n Bill into the pal

are in perfect safety. Please accept our hospitality as freely as you desire, for we

ear Princess," Tro

te. Trot at first thought there was no roof, for looking upward she could see the water all above them. But the princess, reading her thought, said wit

ed child. "Then it must be

and we owe them to the fairy powers of our queen. Of course, yo

ill. And then he asked, "

in her throne room, to wel

ho glided through another arch into another small room where several mermaids were recli

s, Princess Clia," announced one of t

y gasped with astonishment. The queen's throne room was indeed the grandest and most beautiful chamber in all the ocean palaces. Its coral walls were thickly inlaid with mother-of-pearl, exquisitely shaded and made into borders

studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls. Here reclined Queen Aquareine, a being so lovely

of these reclined a pretty mermaid. They could not sit down as we do, Trot readily understood, because of their

de, for the sea maidens were too polite to indulge in curious stares. They paused just before the throne, and the queen raised her head upon one elbow to

oking admiringly at the b

ke," said the sailor slowly. "I'd no id

le heed to the earth people, for we are content in our own dominions; but, of course, we know all that goes on upon your earth. So when Princess Clia

pping his eyes in some confusion as he remem

dial, friendly tone, "you may as well remain with us

d I'd like to stay ever so much, but mother worr

that," said Aqua

asked t

age of time so she will not realize how

that?" inq

he is seated in her chair by the front window, engaged in knitting." The queen paused to raise an arm and wave it slowly to

use while she's asleep?"

ill protect the house

" exclaimed T

I wish I knew it was so. Trot's mother ha

other asleep by the window. Her knitting was in her lap, and the cat lay curled up beside her chair. It was all so natural that Trot thought she

Trot. "But how c

y earth scene before us whenever we wish. Sometimes these scenes

dding. "I've seen mirages, but I nev

rstand and wish to ask questions, I will b

t, "is why we don't get wet, being in

you may fully enjoy your visit to us. One of our peculiar qualities is that water is never permitted to quite touch our bodies, or our gowns

That's why you don't

een, and the other mermai

breathe without gills," rema

m the water, which contains air, and this enables

looking at the fin that stood

rselves as we swim, and so are

n, suddenly becoming grave, he added, "How about my rheumatics, m

tism in all our dominions. I promise no evil result shall follow t