KING JOE As they swam out of Anko's palace and the doll-faced fishes left them, Aquareine asked: "Would you rather go back to our mermaid home for a time and rest yourselves or would you prefer to start for Giant's Cave at once ?" "I guess we'd better go back home," decided Trot.

"To our own home, I mean.

We've been away quite a while, and King Anko seemed to think it was best." "Very well," replied the Queen.

"Let us turn in this direction, then." "You can say goodbye to Merla for us," continued Trot.

"She was very nice to us, an' 'specially to Cap'n Bill." "So she was, mate," agreed the sailor, "an' a prettier lady I never knew, even if she is a mermaid, beggin' your pardon, ma'am." "Are we going anywhere near Zog's castle ?" asked the girl.
"Our way leads directly past the opening in the dome," said Aquareine.
"Then let's stop and see what Sacho and the others are doing," suggested Trot.