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CHAPTER 7 - THE ARISTOCRATIC CODFISH

The three swam slowly along, quite enjoying the cool depths of the water. Every

little while they met with some strange creature--or one that seemed strange to

the earth people--for although Trot and Cap'n Bill had seen many kinds of fish,

after they had been caught and pulled from the water, that was very different

from meeting them in their own element, "face to face," as Trot expressed it. Now

that the various fishes were swimming around free and unafraid in their deep-sea

home, they were quite different from the gasping, excited creatures struggling at

the end of a fishline or flopping from a net.

Before long they came upon a group of large fishes lying lazily near the bottom of

the sea. They were a dark color upon their backs and silver underneath, but not

especially pretty to look at. The fishes made no effort to get out of Merla's way

and remained motionless except for the gentle motion of their fins and gills.

Here," said the mermaid, pausing, "is the most aristocratic family of fish in all

the sea."

What are they?" asked the girl.

Codfish," was the reply. "Their only fault is that they are too haughty and

foolishly proud of their pedigree."

Overhearing this speech, one codfish said to another in a very dignified tone of

voice, "What insolence!"

"Isn't it?" replied the other. "There ought to be a law to prevent these common

mermaids from discussing their superiors."

"My sakes!" said Trot, astonished. "How stuck up they are, aren't they?"

For a moment the group of fishes stared at her solemnly. Then one of the

remarked in a disdainful manner, "Come, my dear, let us leave these vulgar

creatures."

I'm not as vulgar as you are!" exclaimed Trot, much offended by this speech.

Where I come from, we only eat codfish when there's nothing else in the house to

eat."

How absurd!" observed one of the creatures arrogantly.

Eat codfish indeed!" said another in a lofty manner.

The Sea Fairies