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'Course I am," declared the little girl. "We don't get such inv'tations every day,

Cap'n, and if I don't go now I may never find out how the mermaids live."

I don't care how they live, myself," said Cap'n Bill. "I jes' want 'em to let ME live."

There's no danger," insisted Trot.

I do' know 'bout that. That's what all the other folks said when they dove after

the mermaids an' got drownded."

Who?" asked the girl.

I don't know who, but I've heard tell--"

You've heard that no one ever saw a mermaid and lived," said Trot.

To tell the tale," he added, nodding. "An' if we dives down like they says, we won't

live ourselves."

All the mermaids laughed at this, and the brown-haired one said, "Well, if you are

afraid, don't come. You may row your boat out of this cave and never see us

again, if you like. We merely thought it would please little Mayre, and were willing

to show her the sights of our beautiful home."

I'd like to see 'em, all right," said Trot, her eyes glistening with pleasure.

So would I," admitted Cap'n Bill, "if we would live to tell the tale."

Don't you believe us?" asked the mermaid, fixing her lovely eyes on those of the

old sailor and smiling prettily. "Are you afraid to trust us to bring you safely

back?"

"N-n-no," said Cap'n Bill, "'tain't that. I've got to look after Trot."

"Then you'll have to come with me," said Trot decidedly, "for I'm going to 'cept this

inv'tation. If you don't care to come, Cap'n Bill, you go home and tell mother I'm

visitin' the mermaids."

She'd scold me inter shivers!" moaned Cap'n Bill with a shudder. "I guess I'd

ruther take my chance down below."

"All right, I'm ready, Miss Mermaid," said Trot. "What shall I do? Jump in, clothes

and all?"

Give me your hand, dear," answered the mermaid, lifting a lovely white arm from

the water. Trot took the slender hand and found it warm and soft and not a bit

fishy."

The Sea Fairies