Wet Magic · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Wet Magic by E. Nesbit.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The chapter is a brief dedication of the book to Dr. E. N. da C. Andrade from E. Nesbit, written from Well Hall, Kent.
Chapter 2
Wet Magic
The children, Francis, Mavis, Bernard, and Kathleen, are excited about their upcoming seaside holiday. Their anticipation is dampened when Aunt Enid bans them from visiting the aquarium, but their spirits are lifted when they read a newspaper article about a mermaid. They decide to plan a rescue mission for the mermaid, leading to a nighttime adventure.
Chapter 3
I: Sabrina Fair
The children eagerly anticipate their seaside holiday, counting down the days. Francis and Mavis buy a large aquarium to collect sea creatures, but Aunt Enid forbids them from taking it. They decorate it with flowers and shells, and Francis thinks he sees something move inside. Aunt Enid later empties the aquarium, and the children are left with a sense of mystery and loss.
Chapter 4
The Captive
The children discover a newspaper article about an alleged mermaid sighting at Beachfield-on-Sea. They debate whether it is a seal or a mermaid, and Francis and Mavis resolve to search for her themselves. After arriving at their seaside lodgings and Aunt Enid's departure, the two elder children sneak out early to explore the shore and rock pools, driven by a desire to find the mermaid before anyone else.
Chapter 5
III: The Rescue
The children visit the mermaid in her tank and learn she is a powerful magic mistress who cannot escape because she was caught with a llama hair lariat. Despite her irritable demeanor, they promise to rescue her at dead of night using a chariot. After enjoying a circus, they plan and execute a covert nighttime rescue using a muffled wheelbarrow as a chariot, cutting open the tent to free the mermaid.
Chapter 6
Gratitude
Mavis and Francis, having rescued the Mermaid, are confronted by a small boy who initially pretends to be a policeman. He turns out to be the Spangled Boy from the circus, who offers to help them wheel the Mermaid to the sea. During the journey, he reveals that he was kidnapped as a baby by a gypsy named Old Mother Romaine as an act of revenge against his father, a magistrate. He possesses a baby shoe and shirt with the initials 'R.V.' and plans to find his true family. Upon reaching the shore, the Mermaid is ungrateful to Mavis and Francis but praises the boy. She is finally returned to the sea, splashing everyone as she disappears into the water.
Chapter 7
Consequences
After the night's adventure, the children face the aftermath of their wet clothes and late return. Mrs. Pearce discovers them but, moved by their misery, agrees to keep their secret and dry their clothes. The next day, they recount the tale to Kathleen and Bernard, who were safe in bed, and discuss the reality of magic. A note from Reuben invites them to return at midnight, but Francis refuses. The Spangled Boy reveals he has run away and plans to go alone. Bernard and Kathleen consider going instead.
Chapter 8
VII: The Skies Are Falling
The children pass through golden doors into a magical underwater realm where they feel unusually clever. They meet the Mermaid (revealed to be a Princess) and are given an ovation by the Queen. After the banquet, they accidentally break the protective blue sky dome, allowing the Under Folk to attack. The Princess equips them with enchanted coats and oyster-shell weapons, and they prepare for battle.
Chapter 9
VIII: The Water-War
The children are swept into the defense of Merland as the Under Folk launch a full-scale attack. Reuben, now a Sea Urchin general, brings news of the enemy's plan to assault the North Tower. Princess Maia leads her troops through a secret tunnel to an armory, devising a strategy involving Crabs, Narwhals, and Sea Urchins. Francis and Mavis serve as aides-de-camp, delivering a message to the Queen, who reveals that the King was lost at sea. The chapter culminates in a fierce battle in the ravine, where the defenders ambush the Sea Cavalry.
Chapter 10
The Book People
The Book People emerge from their books, and the children witness a battle between the Nice Book People and the Hatefuls. After the fight, the children prepare for the main attack by the Under Folk, but during the skirmish they become overconfident and are captured in a net by the enemy.
Chapter 11
The Under Folk
The children and the Mer Princess are imprisoned by the Under Folk. They receive tickets-of-leaves and are shown the Underworld's wonders by Ulfin, the jailer's son. They learn of a captive king who became a Professor of Conchology. Later, they are brought before the King and Queen of the Under Folk, who force them to drink the Cup of Forgetfulness. Kathleen is affected and forgets her siblings, becoming a pet of the Queen. The others pretend the draught had no effect. Ulfin later takes them to an Iswater where the captive king resides, and the Princess realizes it is her lost father.
Chapter 12
XI: The Peacemaker
The children meet the Professor of Conchology, who sees through their disguise. Ulfin warns the Mer Princess to be careful. Later, the children discuss their hopes: Mavis wants to restore the Mer King, Francis dreams of ending the war forever. They decide to retrieve Cathay's memory-restoring charm from the Museum of Foreign Curiosities. Ulfin helps them, and the Princess uses magic to break the bubble case. The children retrieve their coats and escape by pressing their third buttons.
Chapter 13
The End
The children bid farewell to Merland and the Under Folk, drink from the cup of forgetfulness, and return to the human world. Reuben is reunited with his long-lost parents (the King and Queen of the Under Folk). The children forget their underwater adventures but remember Reuben. Later, Reuben visits them with his parents. The chapter also includes a banquet where Ulfin reveals his true form and becomes engaged to Princess Freia.
