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There were crabs here, too, many of them, and they were performing the queerest

antics imaginable. Some were building themselves into a pyramid, each standing

on edge, with the biggest and strongest ones at the bottom. When the crabs were

five or six rows high, they would all tumble over, still clinging to one another and,

having reached the ground, they would separate and commence to build the

pyramid over again. Others were chasing one another around in a circle, always

moving backward or sidewise, and trying to play "leapfrog" as they went. Still

others were swinging on slight branches of seaweed or turning cartwheels or

indulging in similar antics.

Merla and the earth people watched the busy little creatures for some time before

they were themselves observed, but finally Trot gave a laugh when one crab fell

on its back and began frantically waving its legs to get right-side-up again. At the

sound of her laughter they all stopped their play and came toward the visitors in

a flock, looking up at them with their bright eyes in a most comical way.

Welcome home!" cried one as he turned a back somersault and knocked another

crab over.

"What's the difference between a mermaid and a tadpole?" asked another in a

loud voice, and without a pause continued, "Why, one drops its tail and the other

holds onto it. Ha, ha! Ho, ho! Hee, hee!"

"These," said Merla, "are the clown crabs. They are very silly things, as you may

already have discovered, but for a short time they are rather amusing. One tires

of them very soon."

"They're funny," said Trot, laughing again. "It's almost as good as a circus. I don't

think they would make me tired, but then I'm not a mermaid."

The clown crabs had now formed a row in front of them. "Mr. Johnsing," asked

one, "why is a mermaid like an automobile?"

I don't know, Tommy Blimken," answered a big crab in the middle of the row.

WHY do you think a mermaid is like an automobile?"

"Because they both get tired," said Tommy Blimken. Then all the crabs laughed,

and Tommy seemed to laugh louder than the rest.

How do the crabs in the sea know anything 'bout automobiles?" asked Trot.

Why, Tommy Blimken and Harry Hustle were both captured once by humans

and put in an aquarium," answered the mermaid. "But one day they climbed out

and escaped, finally making their way back to the sea and home again. So they

are quite traveled, you see, and great favorites among the crabs. While they were

The Sea Fairies