“That’s a smile,” said Elliot. “My kind do it before laughing, sometimes. Do your kind not do it?” “No. My kind just laugh, and sing, and . . .” The mermaid looked at him, wondrous and wondering, and then leaned forward. Elliot experienced a thrilling shock like a cold ripple in the water, as he felt her cool mouth on his, felt the press of her sharp teeth beneath her flesh. She leaned away. “Do your kind do that?” Elliot could not help laughing. “Yes. My kind do.”
