Then Lotty's own heart was overflowing with kindness for all creatures. Yes, and she even had a bit of love to spare for Biffins Lee. That she was merely a property in his eyes she knew full well; he had scolded her too, he had pinched her arms, and several times almost dashed her from him till she had stumbled and fell and burst into piteous tears; but--well, she had known him so long, and perhaps he really could not help it. He had been more cruel to her since she had shrunk from making a vulgar exhibition of herself in the _Cumberland_ wreck affair. She was going away though, and she would be sorry to vex even Biffins Lee. Happy thought: she would go and speak to him, and perhaps he would be a little more kind to her for the last few days or weeks. Ah! perhaps she was wrong. She did not go actually into his presence as if she were seeking for an interview, she merely put herself in his way. 'Ah, Lot,' he cried gruffly, but not quite unkindly, 'you're there, are you? Rather wanted to see you. I think our merman made a bit of a hit last night'--he rattled the silver in his pocket. 'Now, if I could have you next week to pose as the mermaid'---- 'What!' cried Lotty, aghast. 'It would be the best hit in the countryside. It would make a man of me--make a man of us all, so to speak. Another thing,' he continued without giving her time to reply, 'is this: I don't care any too much for that witch-wife Crona. I want you to stop going there, and I'll give Chops the same order. She is only putting nonsense and idle stuff into your head.' 'But, father, she has been such a good and kind friend to me, and I could not well go through the forest to the station or anywhere without seeing her. Besides'---- 'No more, no more. I don't want to lose my temper, for I'm really a good-natured fellow.' Again he rattled the cash in his capacious pocket. Lotty said not another word, but went quietly back to her little caravan, to Wallace and to Mary. 'Mary,' she said, 'what do you think?' 'Couldn't guess, dear.' 'Mr Biff--my father, I mean--wants me to pose as mermaid next week, and he seems very determined. I wish he would tell me to go away and get work at some other show.' 'He won't do that, Lotty. But I'll see him for you, and let him know there will be a general strike if he attempts to make you mermaid. But it would not be for a fortnight anyhow.' 'A fortnight!' Lotty's spirits began to rise. She hoped to be far enough away before then. And now she was smiling as she said, 'Mary, couldn't you tell him that _you_ would be happy to be the mermaid?' '_Me_ a mermaid, wearing a very low-bodiced dress, as I'm told mermaids do! _Me_ a mermaid, Lotty, with my fragile, fairy-like form, twenty stone and over. Ha, ha, ha!' And good Mary laughed till the cups and saucers rang in the caravan cupboard. But Lotty grew a little serious again. 'Mary,' she said, 'I am going to be debarred from ever going to see my fairy godmother any more. What shall I do?'