The Shrew-Mouse drew all Four Feet together and Slithered Eel-wise off the Ledge
The Shrew-mouse rocked with laughter.
"Again, Natterjack!" she cried. "Again! again!"
Shame-faced, he paddled back to shore.
"Be charitable, Shrew-mouse, be charitable. I did my best."
The Shrew-mouse looked at him inquiringly. "Never mind, Natterjack," she said, "I'll fetch him. It's hardly the right thing to do, but still——"
She climbed a ledge, drew all four feet together, and slithered off it eel-wise. She swam a yard and dived. The water closed like oil upon her going. Ten seconds passed and then she reappeared.
"He's coming, Natterjack," she said, and landed close beside him. The French Frog shot up like a cork, and half of him splashed clear above the surface. He took two strokes to reach the shore, and came out moist and shiny. He bristled with apologies—"It was unpardonable. He was altogether desolated. That a lady should have had to dive for him. Alas! he had been dreaming, and his dream, like all his dreams——"