human
Well, well! said the little man, spreading out his legs and putting his hands on his hips as he stood looking at them;
gpt
Don't bunch us that way!
human
You are quite wrong, said Trot;
gpt
I'm a--a girl.
human
With a fish's tail?
gpt
That's only just for a while, she said;
human
But we haven't any gills, remarked the Cap'n, looking closely at the little man's throat;
gpt
If you mean me, I must admit you are right, said the little man, twisting his mustaches.
human
I'm as near a fish as a man can be. But you see, Cap'n, without the gills that make me a fish I could not live under water.
gpt
When it comes to that, you've no business to live under water, asserted the sailor.
human
But I s'pose you're a slave and can't help it.
gpt
I'm chief cook for that old horror, Zog. And that reminds me, good mermaids--or good people, or good girls and sailors, or whatever you are--that I'm sent here to ask what you'd like to eat.
human
Glad to see you, sir, said Cap'n Bill.
gpt
I'm nearly starved, myself.
human
I had it in mind, said the little man,
gpt
Oh, two of us are, said the Queen, smiling.
human
I, my good cook, am Aquareine, the ruler of the mermaids, and this is the Princess Clia.
gpt
I've often heard of you, your Majesty, returned the chief cook, bowing respectfully,
human
We thank you, good sir,
gpt
What have you got to eat? inquired Trot.
human
Seems to me I'm hollow way down to my toes--my tail, I mean--and it'll take a lot to fill me up. We haven't eaten a morsel since breakfast, you know.
gpt
I think I shall be able to give you almost anything you would like, said the cook.
human
Zog is a wonderful magician, and can procure anything that exists with no more effort than a wiggle of his thumb. But some eatables, you know, are hard to serve under water, because they get so damp that they are soon ruined.
gpt
Ah, it is different with the mermaids,
human
Yes; all your things are kept dry because they are surrounded by air. I've heard how the mermaids live. But here it is different.
gpt
Take this ring, said the Queen, handing the chief cook a circlet which she drew from her finger.
human
While it is in your possession the food you prepare will not get wet--or even moist.
gpt
I thank your Majesty, returned the cook, taking the ring.
human
My name is Tom Atto, and I'll do my best to please you. How would you like for luncheon some oysters on the half shell, clam broth, shrimp salad, broiled turtle steak and watermelon?
gpt
That will do very nicely,
human
Do watermelons grow in the sea?
gpt
Of course; that is why they are called watermelons, replied Tom Atto.
human
I think I shall serve you a water ice, in addition to the rest. Water ice is an appropriate sea food.
gpt
Have some water cress with the salad,
human
I'd thought of that, declared the cook.
gpt
Doesn't my bill of fare make your mouths water?
human
Hurry up and get it ready,
gpt
Do you think, ma'am, we can manage to escape from Zog and his castle?
human
I hope we shall find a way, replied Aquareine.
gpt
The evil powers of magic, which Zog controls, may not prove to be as strong as the fairy powers I possess; but of course I cannot be positive until I discover what this wicked magician is able to do.
human
I think I can see an opening far up in the top of the dome,