"Never havin' seen a mermaid afore, I couldn't be ackerate, an' I never expected to see one an' live to tell the tale." Again the cave rang with merry laughter, and as it died away, Trot said, "May I see your scales, please?
And are they green and purple and pink like Cap'n Bill said ?" They seemed undecided what to say to this and swam a little way off, where the beautiful heads formed a group that was delightful to see.

Perhaps they talked together, for the brown-haired mermaid soon came back to the side of the boat and asked, "Would you like to visit our kingdom and see all the wonders that exist below the sea ?" "I'd like to," replied Trot promptly, "but I couldn't.

I'd get drowned." "That you would, mate!" cried Cap'n Bill.
"Oh no," said the mermaid.

"We would make you both like one of ourselves, and then you could live within the water as easily as we do." "I don't know as I'd like that," said the child, "at least for always." "You need not stay with us a moment longer than you please," returned the mermaid, smiling as if amused at the remark.

"Whenever you are ready to return home, we promise to bring you to this place again and restore to you the same forms you are now wearing." "Would I have a fish's tail ?" asked Trot earnestly.
"You would have a mermaid's tail," was the reply.
"What color would my scales be--pink, or purple ?" "You may choose the color yourself." "Look ahere, Trot!" said Cap'n Bill in excitement.