But Elsie did not like this at all, though the island was very beautiful. She shook her head resolutely, and replied,—

“If you please, I do not wish

For to marry any fish!”

Then the purple fish was angry, and his yellow tail quivered with vexation. He said, sternly,—

“If you will not be my wife,

You shall stay here all your life!”

And off he swam, taking the green cart with him. Poor Elsie was very unhappy, for she could not bear to think of spending her whole life on the island, and yet she did not want to marry a fish, even if her Mamma were willing, which she was quite sure she would not be. But, as she was sitting there, making a wreath of the yellow violets, two sea-gulls came flying by. They stopped when they saw Elsie, and one of them said,—

“Here, upon this purple island,

What do I see but a human chisland!”

“There isn’t any such word as ‘chisland!’” said Elsie. “It is ‘child,’ don’t you know?”