"And," said Linnet, as the song concluded, "they married and had twelve children—six boys and six girls. Mother told me about it."
But Matthew Henry turned to the singer gravely. "Is it true?" he asked. "And are you really Queen Zenobia?"
"Come and see," said Vashti, rising. "The sands are bare between us and Brefar, and if Linnet is brave enough we will take a boat and she shall be shown the cave where Jan's father caught the mermaid."
"But we must get back again," objected Annet.
"I will see that you get back again."
"The sands may not be safe."
"When you told us yourself that they were quite safe!" protested Matthew Henry. "And you said you would lead us over and back without any danger at all."
"The fact is," said Vashti, quietly, "Annet feels herself responsible for you, and thinks that very likely I am a witch."
The child faced her bravely, biting her lip upon the inward struggle.
"You are not a witch," she said. "Your eyes are too good. And, besides, there are people in Brefar who will take care of us if we miss our way back."