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Trot wondered who would serve the meal, but her curiosity was soon satisfied

when several large lobsters came sliding into the room backward, bearing in their

claws trays loaded with food. Each of these lobsters had a golden band behind its

neck to show it was the slave of the mermaids.

These curious waiters were fussy creatures, and Trot found much amusement in

watching their odd motions. They were so spry and excitable that at times they

ran against one another and upset the platters of food, after which they began to

scold and argue as to whose fault it was, until one of the mermaids quietly

rebuked them and asked them to be more quiet and more careful.

The queen's guests had no cause to complain of the dinner provided. First the

lobsters served bowls of turtle soup, which proved hot and deliciously flavored.

Then came salmon steaks fried in fish oil, with a fungus bread that tasted much

like field mushrooms. Oysters, clams, soft-shell crabs and various preparations of

seafoods followed. The salad was a delicate leaf from some seaweed that Trot

thought was much nicer than lettuce. Several courses were served, and the

lobsters changed the plates with each course, chattering and scolding as they

worked, and as Trot said, "doing everything backwards" in their nervous, fussy

way.

Many of the things offered them to eat were unknown to the visitors, and the

child was suspicious of some of them, but Cap'n Bill asked no questions and ate

everything offered him, so Trot decided to follow his example. Certain it is they

found the meal very satisfying, and evidently there was no danger of their being

hungry while they remained the guests of the mermaids. When the fruits came,

Trot thought that must be the last course of the big dinner, but following the

fruits were ice creams frozen into the shape of flowers.

How funny," said the child, "to be eating ice cream at the bottom of the sea."

Why does that surprise you?" inquired the Queen.

I can't see where you get the ice to freeze it," Trot replied.

It is brought to us from the icebergs that float in the northern parts of the

ocean," explained Merla.

O' course, Trot. You orter thought o' that. I did," said Cap'n Bill.

The little girl was glad there was no more to eat, for she was ashamed to feel she

had eaten every morsel she could. Her only excuse for being so greedy was that

"ev'rything tasted just splendid!" as she told the queen.

The Sea Fairies