When they saw the mermaid, they cried out, "Oh, Merla! What do you think?
Our Flippity has just gone to glory!" "When ?" asked the mermaid.
"Just now," one replied.

"We were lying in the water, talking quietly together when a spinning, shining thing came along and our dear Flippity ate it.

Then he went shooting up to the top of the water and gave a flop and--went to glory! Isn't it splendid, Merla ?" "Poor Flippity!" sighed the mermaid.

"I'm sorry, for he was the prettiest and nicest mackerel in your whole flock." "What does it mean ?" asked Trot.

"How did Flippity go to glory ?" "Why, he was caught by a hook and pulled out of the water into some boat," Merla explained.