human
Law sakes! he gasped.
gpt
Here's me in the water with my rheumatics! I'll be that stiff termorrer I can't wiggle.
human
You're wigglin' all right now, observed Trot.
gpt
That's a fine tail you've got, Cap'n, an' its green scales is jus' beautiful.
human
Are they green, eh?
gpt
Green as em'ralds, Cap'n. How do they feel?
human
Feel, Trot--feel? Why, this tail beats that ol' wooden leg all holler! I kin do stunts now that I couldn't 'a' done in a thousand years with ol' peg.
gpt
And don't be afraid of the rheumatism, advised the Princess.
human
No mermaid ever catches cold or suffers pain in the water.
gpt
Is Cap'n Bill a mermaid now?
human
Why, he's a mer_man_, I suppose, laughed the pretty princess.
gpt
But when he gets home he will be just Cap'n Bill again.
human
Wooden leg an' all?
gpt
To be sure, my dear.