Page 253 - Adventures in shadow-land

sweetest mermaid in the sea, she is, except your

sister/'
"S h e’s well enough for a mermaid/’ said the

merman, impatiently, for the ship was going far­
ther and farther away.

<f I think you ought to be ashamed of yourself/ 7
said his friend, growing vexed at last f<I shalJ

really think that absurd stOTy of Moby Dick's was
true when he said you were in love with a wooden

statue of a human being.”
“ She’s not human/1 snapped the merman, col­

oring scarlet; “ she’s a nymph, an immortal/’
“ Let's have a look at her/’ he said,

"Y o u are not worthy to behold tier perfec­
tions/’ said the merman.
“ Why, a catfish may took at a congressman/'

said his friend, quoting a sea proverb, “ Is she

on board that ship off there? Come on;11 and
away he went and our merman after him. They
came up with the ship, and there, as usual, stood

the wooden image staring over the water,
“ She's watching for m e/1 said the merman.

The friend said nothing;. He swam round and

t