human
Are you--a--a--mermaid?
gpt
Yes, dear,
human
We are all mermaids!
gpt
Are you part fishes?
human
No, we are all mermaid, replied the one with the brown hair.
gpt
The fishes are partly like us, because they live in the sea and must move about. And you are partly like us, Mayre dear, but have awkward stiff legs so you may walk on the land. But the mermaids lived before fishes and before mankind, so both have borrowed something from us.
human
Then you must be fairies, if you've lived always,
gpt
We are, dear; we are the water fairies,
human
We--we're--goners, Trot!
gpt
I guess not, Cap'n, she answered calmly.
human
These pretty mermaids aren't going to hurt us, I'm sure.
gpt
No, indeed, said the first one who had spoken.
human
If we were wicked enough to wish to harm you our magic could reach you as easily upon the land as in this cave. But we love little girls dearly, and wish only to please them and make their lives more happy.
gpt
I believe that!
human
Guess why we have appeared to you,
gpt
Why?
human
We heard you say yesterday you would like to see a mermaid, and so we decided to grant your wish.
gpt
That was real nice of you,
human
Also we heard all the foolish things Cap'n Bill said about us, remarked the brown haired one, smilingly;
gpt
I on'y said what I've heard, protested Cap'n Bill.
human
Never havin' seen a mermaid afore, I couldn't be ackerate; an' I never expected to see one an' live to tell the tale.
gpt
May I see your scales, please? And are they green and purple and pink, like Cap'n Bill said?