nd and children, as happy as a mermaiden could be. At length,
growing weary, we all retired to rest in one of the caverns at Kynance,
and there on a soft couch of seaweed my husband laid himself down to
sleep. The children went off to play, and I was left alone. For some
time I watched the crabs playing in the water, or the tiny fish at the
bottom of the pools, but the sweet scent of flowers came to me from the
gardens of your world, borne on the light breeze, and I felt I must go and
see what these flowers were like whose breath was so beautiful, for we
have nothing like it in our dominions. Exquisite sea-plants we have, but
they have no sweet perfume.

"Seeing that my husband was asleep, and the children quite happy and safe,
I swam off to this shore, but when here I found I could not get near the
flowers; I could see them on the tops of the cliffs far, far beyond my
reach, so I thought I would rest here for a time, and dress my hair, while
breathing in their sweetness.

"I sat on, dreaming of your world and trying to picture to myself what it
was like, until I awoke with a start to find the tide far out, beyond the
bar. I was so frightened I screamed to my husband to come and help me,
but even if he heard me he could not get to me over that sandy ridge; and
if he wakes before I am back, and misses me, he will be so angry, for he
is very jealous. He will be hungry, too, and if he finds no supper
prepared he will eat some of the children!"

"Oh, my dear!" cried Lutey, quite horrified, "he surely wouldn't never do
such a dreadful thing!"

"Ah, you do not know Mermen," she said sorrowfully. "They are such
gluttons, and will gobble up their children in a moment if their meals are
a little late. Scores of my children have been taken from me. That is
how it is," she explained, "that you do not oftener see us sea-folk.
Poor children, they never learn wisdom! Directly their father begins to
whistle or sing, they crowd about him, they are so fond of music, and he
gets them to come and kiss his cheek, or whisper in his ear, then he opens
wide his mouth, and in they go.--Oh dear, what shall I do! I have only
ten little ones left, and they will all be gone if I don't get home before
he wakes!"

"Don't 'ee take on so, my dear. The tide will soon be in, and then you
can float off as quick as you like."

"Oh, but I cannot wait," she cried, tears running down her cheeks.
"Beautiful mortal, help me! Carry me out to