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Even as he spoke, his head slid into the round hole, and at a signal from
Aquareine they all paused outside and waited. Presently there came to them four
beautiful winged fishes with faces like doll babies. Their long hair and eyelashes
were of a purple color, and their cheeks had rosy spots that looked as if they had
been painted upon them. "His Majesty bids you welcome," said one of the doll
fishes in a sweet voice. "Be kind enough to enter the royal palace, and our ocean
monarch will graciously receive you."
"Seems to me," said Trot to the queen, "these things are putting on airs. Perhaps
they don't know we're friends of Anko."
"
The king insists on certain formalities when anyone visits him," was Aquareine's
reply. "It is right that his dignity should be maintained."
They followed their winged conductors to one of the upper openings, and as they
entered it Aquareine said in a clear voice, "May the glory and power of the ocean
king continue forever!" Then she touched the palm of her hand to her forehead in
token of allegiance, and Clia did the same, so Cap'n Bill and Trot followed suit.
The brief ceremony being ended, the child looked curiously around to see what
the palace of the mighty Anko was like.
An extensive hall lined with alabaster was before them. In the floor were five of
the round holes. Upon the walls were engraved many interesting scenes of ocean
life, all chiseled very artistically by the tusks of walruses who, Trot was afterward
informed, are greatly skilled in such work. A few handsome rugs of woven sea
grasses were spread upon the floor, but otherwise the vast hall was bare of
furniture. The doll-faced fishes escorted them to an upper room where a table
was set, and here the revelers were invited to refresh themselves. As all four were
exceedingly hungry, they welcomed the repast, which was served by an army of
lobsters in royal purple aprons and caps.
The meal being finished, they again descended to the hall, which seemed to
occupy all the middle of the building. And now their conductors said, "His
Majesty is ready to receive you in his den."
They swam downward through one of the round holes in the floor and found
themselves in a brilliantly lighted chamber which appeared bigger than all the
rest of the palace put together. In the center was the quaint head of King Anko,
and around it was spread a great coverlet of purple and gold woven together. This
concealed all of his body and stretched from wall to wall of the circular room.
"
Welcome, friends!" said Anko pleasantly. "How do you like my home?"
"It's very grand," replied Trot.
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