"Tell me exactly where your cave is," I said, as I handed her the
flotsam.

She showed me, and, after a moment or two's rest, I swam out and
round to the mouth, only to find the water too high to enter. I
did try, but a wave lifted me up to the roof, and I only saved a
broken head at the expense of a nasty cut on the back of my hand.

She was anxiously awaiting me, and listened to my report without
a word. When I had finished, she deliberately wrung the last
atom of water out of the derelict stocking, smoothed it out
carefully by the side of the chemise in the sun, laid herself
down on the sand, and burst into tears.

I tried to comfort her. I patted her shoulder and took her hand
in mine.

"Don't worry, Mermaid dear," I said."Trust me- I'll think of
something. I know. I'll swim round to my cove and dress, and
then go and get you some fresh clothes before anyone's the wiser.
See? I'll go now,"I added, getting up and licking the blood off
my hand. "You wait here and- "

I broke off abruptly, and one of the more violent expletives,
indicative of combined horror and amazement, escaped my lips
before I could stop it.

"What is it?" wailed the Mermaid.