obably floated off in the air, until
they burst, like fairy soap-bubbles.

All kinds of delicious fish, little pink and white crabs, goldfish,
luscious oysters, and, finally, coral-candy, made up the different
courses of the dinner. When it was over and the coffee was served in a
beautiful room adjoining, King Seaphus smoked a big cigar, which, to
Mary Louise's amazement, glowed and burned like any ordinary Havana her
father smoked at home.

After King Seaphus had smoked away in perfect silence for some time, he
turned to Mary Louise and asked:

"Where were you going, my dear, when you met my daughter?"

"Oh, nowhere in particular," replied little Mary Louise quickly. "You
see, I was playing on the beach when I saw the Princess,
and--and--and---"

"Then I combed her hair with my magic comb," said the Princess, coming
to the relief of little Mary Louise, who was very much embarrassed by
the question. You see, she was not at all accustomed to hold
conversation with royalty, and to be talking to a Merman King was,
perhaps, even more disconcerting.

"We took the subway," continued his daughter, "we caught the Iceberg
Express, and, well, here we are."

"So I see," said the King.

Mary Louise gave a giggle and, forgetting her embarrassment, exclaimed,
"And just as we were safe on board, after the Polar Bear porter had
told us to 'watch our step,' there was an awful explosion, and we found
ourselves floating about in the midst of a lot of cracked ice."

"Indeed," exclaimed King Seaphus, "this is the second time in the last
month we've had an accident on the Sea Bottom Subway. I must call in
my Prime Minister and have an investigation begun at once."

Pulling vigorously on a beautifully braided sea-grass rope, he awaited
the coming of a page. Little Mary Louise heard the far-off tinkle of
the bell, and presently the Mer-bell-boy appeared.

"Summon his most excellent self, the Prime Minister," commanded King
Seaphus.

The Mer-boy page glided away and presently appeared, deferentially
escorting the Prime Minister. The latter was a very distinguished
looking person. His long, white beard was parted gracefully in the
center, no doubt by the action of the water as he swam up to where the
King sat. As befitted so important an official, he was clad in a long,
red robe, which reached nearly to the end of his fin-tail. His head was
adorned with a crimson cap and tassel made of the softest velvet
sea-grass.

"Wh