So she dressed and made her toilet, and swam down into the palace to find Cap'n Bill and the mermaids politely waiting for her to join them.

The sea maidens were as fresh and lovely as ever, while each and all proved sweet tempered and merry, even at the breakfast table--and that is where people are cross, if they ever are.

During the meal the queen said, "I shall take you this morning to the most interesting part of the ocean, where the largest and most remarkable sea creatures live.
And we must visit King Anko, too, for the sea serpent would feel hurt and slighted if I did not bring my guests to call upon him." "That will be nice," said Trot eagerly.
But Cap'n Bill asked, "Is there any danger, ma'am ?" "I think not," replied Queen Aquareine.

"I cannot say that you will be exposed to any danger at all, so long as I'm with you.

But we are going into the neighborhood of such fierce and even terrible beings which would attack you at once did they suspect you to be earth people.