It made her feel solemn to be in the company of such old people.

The band of mermaids seemed to all appearances young and fresh and not a bit as if they'd been soaked in water for hundreds of years.

The girl began to take more notice of the sea maidens following after her.

More than a dozen were in the group; all were lovely in appearance and clothed in the same gauzy robes as Merla and the Princess.

These attendants did not join in the conversation but darted here and there in sportive play, and often Trot heard the tinkling chorus of their laughter.