Dulcie took it with awe. He was a very fine gentleman indeed, and the two children couldn't help staring at him as he smoothed his hair in silence. He was short and stout, in a costume not unlike that of Harlequin in the pantomime, only the colouring was green and blue. His goggle green eyes and wide, down-drawn mouth made him look comically like a carp, whilst the pointed wisp of white beard on his chin and the four long white hairs he was winding round his bald head were not really an improvement to his appearance. "Thank you kindly, my dear," he said as he took his crown and put it on. It was beautifully made, entirely of the loveliest small shells, and when he wore it he looked every inch just what he happened to be. In spite of his queer face, the two visitors felt quite at ease with him, and were sure that with such a pleasant voice, too, he must be very nice indeed. "What are you King of?" inquired Dulcie with a friendly smile. "Of the fish," he answered, patting her cheek. "I'm right glad to see you." Suddenly remembering, the little couple at once donned their shoes and stockings as a sign of respect. "It's very healthy, I suppose," remarked Dulcie, "living out at sea like this?" "I suppose so, my lady," answered the Fish-King drily. Dulcie liked being called "my lady." "Except," he continued thoughtfully, "for an occasional attack of shingles I don't ail much." Then turning to Cyril he asked: "How's that old rascal of a Wizard? laughing in his dressing-gown, eh?" "I'm sorry I don't know, your Majesty," replied the boy, surprised at the question and the way it was put. "You will soon get to know me. I only hope you may not be disappointed. You certainly wouldn't have been disappointed with my ancestor." "Who's your ancestor?" asked Dulcie bluntly. "Was he a King-fisher too?" "Not at all. He was Neptune." "Where did he live?" "In Imagination." "Where's that?" Cyril raised his eyebrows at her lack of manners. "You turn to the right," answered his Majesty patiently, with a gesture that way, "follow your nose, mount a hill north of the Fore Head, and there you are. See?" The Twins couldn't think what answer to make--though he seemed to expect one--so they gave a little nervous laugh. "Just see, there's a dear boy," said the Fish-King kindly, in order to change the subject--"just see if you've got a copy of the _Financial Market_ about you, will you? Or maybe you know what the Financial Time is? That would do quite as well. Oh, beg pardon--I see you've no watch on; pawnbroken, eh?" "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean; I've never heard of all that," admitted Cyril. "But you _have_ heard there's been another slump!" "What?" ventured Dulcie.