air as if he were going to take her to his nest and eat
her like a fish.

Poor Nelly was sadly frightened; but before she could catch her breath
to ask what was to happen, the King said, in a loud voice, "Remember!"
and let her drop.

She expected to be dashed on the rocks below, and thought that was to be
her punishment, perhaps; but to her great surprise she floated down like
a feather, and found herself lying on the sand in her own shape and the
very clothes she wore when she went away. She lay a moment enjoying the
comfort of being warm and dry, and feeling the dear earth under her.

"Why, darling, how long you have been asleep!" said a voice close by;
and starting up Nelly saw her mother stooping over her, while Baby was
creeping nearer to laugh and crow as he peeped into her face to see if
she was awake.

"Oh, mamma, dear mamma, I am so glad to have you again! I was very
naughty, but I've learned a lesson, and I'm going to be your good child
now," cried Nelly, holding her mother tight with many kisses.

"Bless the dear! she has been dreaming, and wakes up in a lovely mood,"
said mamma, laughing.

"Didn't you think I was drowned? How long have I been away?" asked
Nelly, looking about her as if bewildered.

"About an hour. I was not troubled, for I knew you would not break your
promise, dear."

"Then it _was_ a dream, and I haven't been a mermaid?" said Nelly.

"I hope not; for I like my little girl just as she is. Tell me the dream
while I smooth away these tangles before we go home."

So, sitting on her mother's knee, while Baby dug holes in the sand,
Nelly told her adventures as well as she could; for now it all seemed
dim and far away, and nothing remained clear in her mind but the thought
that it was indeed a lovely and a happy thing to be a little child with
a heart to feel, a mother to love, and a home to live in till we go to
find that other one, fairer than any on the earth or in the sea.

[Illustration]

X.

LITTLE BUD.

[Illustration: Bud admired them very much, and felt very glad and proud
when they lighted all over her, till she looked like one great butterfly
with wings of every color.--PAGE 215.]

"The naughty cuckoo has been here while we were gone, and left this
great blue egg among our little white ones," said the linnet to her mate
as they came back from their breakfast one day and found the nest full.

"It is not a cuckoo's egg, my dear," answered the father bird, shak