Let us go in this direction and visit some other sea people." So they swam away from the barnacle-covered rock, and Trot heard the last chorus as she slowly followed their conductor.

The barnacles were singing: "Oh, very well, then, I hear the curfew, Please go away and come some other day; Goliath tussels With Samson's muscles, Yet the muscles never fight in Oyster Bay." "It's jus' nonsense!" said Trot scornfully.

"Why don't they sing 'Annie Laurie' or 'Home, Sweet Home' or else keep quiet ?" "Why, if they were quiet," replied Merla, "they wouldn't be singing barnacles." They now came to one of the avenues which led from the sea garden out into the broad ocean, and here two swordfishes were standing guard.

"Is all quiet ?" Merla asked them.
"Just as usual, your Highness," replied one of the guards.
"Mummercubble was sick this morning and grunted dreadfully, but he's better now and has gone to sleep.

King Anko has been stirring around some, but is now taking his after-dinner nap.