e!
There's a monster that's all head! And there goes a fish with a sail
on its back, an' here's old Mummercubble, I'm sure, for he's got a
head just like a pig."

She might have watched the fishes on the roof for hours, had she not
remembered it was late and breakfast must be ready. 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. So in order to guard your safety, I intend to draw the Magic
Circle around both of you before we start."

"What is the Magic Circle?" asked Trot.

"A fairy charm that prevents any enemy from touching you. No monster
of the sea, however powerful, will be able to reach your body while
you are protected by the Magic Circle," declared the Queen.

"Oh, then I'll not be a bit afraid," returned the child with perfect
confidence.

"Am I to have the Magic Circle drawn around me, too?" asked Cap'n
Bill.

"Of course," answered Aquareine. "You will need no other protection
than that, yet both Princess Clia and I will both be with you. For
today I shall leave Merla to rule our palaces in my place until we
return."

No sooner was breakfast finished than Trot was anxious to start. The
girl was also curious to discover what the powerful Magic Circle
might prove to be, but she was a little disappointed in the
ceremony. The queen merely grasped her fairy wand in her right hand
and swam around the child in a circle, from left to right. Then she
took her wand in her left hand and swam around Trot in another
circle, from right to left. "Now, my dear," said she, "you are safe