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"It seemed like a long time," answered the King. "Dr. Shark said I ought to put a

mustard poultice on my stomach, so I uncoiled myself and summoned my

servants, and they began putting on the mustard plaster. It had to be bound all

around me so it wouldn't slip off, and I began to look like an express package. In

about four weeks fully one-half of the pain had been covered by the mustard

poultice, which got so hot that it hurt me worse than the stomach ache did."

I know," said Trot. "I had one, once."

One what?" asked Anko.

A mustard plaster. They smart pretty bad, but I guess they're a good thing."

I got myself unwrapped as soon as I could," continued the King, "and then I

hunted for the doctor, who hid himself until my anger had subsided. He has

never sent in a bill, so I think he must be terribly ashamed of himself."

You're lucky, sir, to have escaped so easy," said Cap'n Bill. "But you seem pretty

well now."

"Yes, I'm more careful of what I eat," replied the Sea Serpent. "But I was saying

when Trot interrupted me, that you all belong to me, because I have saved your

lives. By the law of the ocean, you must obey me in everything."

The sailor scowled a little at hearing this, but Trot laughed and said, "The law of

the ocean isn't OUR law, 'cause we live on land."

"Just now you are living in the ocean," declared Anko, "and as long as you live

here, you must obey my commands."

What are your commands?" inquired the child.

Ah, that's the point I was coming to," returned the King with his comical smile.

The ocean is a beautiful place, and we who belong here love it dearly. In many

ways it's a nicer place for a home than the earth, for we have no sunstroke,

mosquitoes, earthquakes or candy ships to bother us. But I am convinced that

the ocean is no proper dwelling place for earth people, and I believe the mermaids

did an unwise thing when they invited you to visit them."

I don't," protested the girl. "We've had a fine time, haven't we, Cap'n Bill?"

Well, it's been diff'rent from what I expected," admitted the sailor.

Our only thought was to give the earth people pleasure, your Majesty," pleaded

Aquareine.

106

The Sea Fairies