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curious thing about this present experience was that the water did not cling to

him and wet him as it had always done before. He still wore his flannel shirt and

pea jacket and his sailor cap; but although he was in the water and had been

underneath the surface, the cloth still seemed dry and warm. As he dived down

and came up again, the drops flashed from his head and the fringe of beard, but

he never needed to wipe his face or eyes at all.

Trot, too, was having queer experiences and enjoying them. When she ducked

under water, she saw plainly everything about her as easily and distinctly as she

had ever seen anything above water. And by looking over her shoulder she could

watch the motion of her new tail, all covered with pretty iridescent pink scales,

which gleamed like jewels. She wore her dress the same as before, and the water

failed to affect it in the least.

She now noticed that the mermaids were clothed, too, and their exquisite gowns

were the loveliest thing the little girl had ever beheld. They seemed made of a

material that was like sheeny silk, cut low in the neck and with wide, flowing

sleeves that seldom covered the shapely, white arms of her new friends. The

gowns had trains that floated far behind the mermaids as they swam, but were so

fleecy and transparent that the sparkle of their scales might be seen reaching

back of their waists, where the human form ended and the fish part began. The

sea fairies wore strings of splendid pearls twined around their throats, while more

pearls were sewn upon their gowns for trimmings. They did not dress their

beautiful hair at all, but let it float around them in clouds.

The little girl had scarcely time to observe all this when the princess said, "Now,

my dear, if you are ready, we will begin our journey, for it is a long way to our

palaces."

"All right," answered Trot, and took the hand extended to her with a trustful

smile.

Will you allow me to guide you, Cap'n Bill?" asked the blonde mermaid,

extending her hand to the old sailor.

"Of course, ma'am," he said, taking her fingers rather bashfully.

"My name is Merla," she continued, "and I am cousin to Princess Clia. We must

all keep together, you know, and I will hold your hand to prevent your missing

the way."

While she spoke they began to descend through the water, and it grew quite dark

for a time because the cave shut out the light. But presently Trot, who was

eagerly looking around her, began to notice the water lighten and saw they were

The Sea Fairies