Wet Magic
The Astrologer Royal, who had been whispering to Reuben, here interposed.
"It would be well, your Majesties," he said, "if a small allowance of the cup of oblivion were served out to these land children, so that they may not remember their adventures here. It is not well for the Earth People to know too much of the dwellers in the sea. There is a sacred vessel which has long been preserved among the civic plate. I propose that this vessel should be presented to our guests as a mark of our esteem; that they shall bear it with them, and drink the contents as soon as they set foot on their own shores."
He was at once sent to fetch the sacred vessel. It was a stone ginger beer bottle.
"I do really think we ought to go," said Mavis again.
There were farewells to be said—a very loving farewell to the Princesses, a very friendly one to the fortunate Ulfin, and then a little party left the Palace quietly and for the last time made the journey to the quiet Iswater where the King of Merland had so long professed Conchology.
Arrived at this spot the King spoke to the King and Queen of the Under Folk.
"Swallow this charm," he said, "in equal shares—then rise to the surface of the lake and say the charm which I perceive the Earth children have taught you as we came along. The rest will be easy and beautiful. We shall never forget you, and your hearts will remember us, though your minds must forget. Farewell."
The King and Queen rose through the waters and disappeared.
Next moment a strong attraction like that which needles feel for magnets drew the children from the side of the Mer King. They shut their eyes, and when they opened them they were on dry land in a wood by a lake—and Francis had a ginger beer bot-
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