Holly and the Mermaids

Eight-year old Princess Holly knocked softly on Dolly's door. Her sister opened it and asked," What do you want?" Holly said," I-I thought you might like to know that your flowers are getting buds." Dolly stared at her and replied, snidely, "I already know that." With that, the door was slammed. Holly stood there for a moment and whispered," Oh." She decided to play with her cat, Snowey. Holly knew that the cats would be in Sally's room. She opened the door and sure enough, there they were. Holly picked up Snowey, but Sally stopped her by crying," Where are you taking her?" "To my room," answered Holly. "Well, don't," Sally said. "She wants to be here." Holly decided to go outside. She found Polly, who was standing on her head. Holly looked down at her and asked," Why are you doing that?" Polly turned right side up. Her face was as red as her hair. "I'm letting my blood rush down to my brain," Polly answered. "I can't figure out my math homework, so I'm doing this to make my brain smarter." Holly shook her head. Polly was always coming up with strange ideas. Holly went to Dove Brook. She followed it to deeper water. Below, she saw the mermaids swimming about. Lorinda came up and said," Won't you join us?" Holly sighed and said," I can't breathe underwater." Lorinda looked happy and said," Drink this and you can breathe and talk underwater!" Holly took the bottle the mermaid held out and drank the contents. Frowning uncertainly, Holly dived in. Holly could breathe! She had a lot of fun, playing with the mermaids. Then evening fell, and the mer-people rushed home. Holly got out and went home, too. Her father was outside. When he saw her, he said," Oh, Holly! Where were you?" Holly smiled and told him. The King grinned and ruffling her brown hair, said, "You have as many adventures as Polly!" Holly smiled and they went to dinner.