When Doris was a Mermaid 95

did the dawn come when he broke the
fairies’ ring?”

“T forget what the book said as to the
dawn. As to the fairy, it is supposed his
brothers rescued him,” replied the Visitor.
“At any rate, he was gone. But the stone
that the farmer had flung at him was still
there. So you see, it is clear that fairies
do exist —or did when that book was
written.”

‘‘T suppose it is,” said Doris, accepting
the logic of her friend, after a moment's
reflection. ‘“ At any rate, I believe it, and
so do you.”

“Quite right,” answered her friend.
“And it need not. concern us what other
people say.”

Doris pondered. ‘And what about
' mermaids?” she asked, presently.

“How do you mean?” replied the
Visitor.

“Well, did you ever feel quite certain
that once upon a time — hundreds and
hundreds of years ago, perhaps — you