"Well, you'd better," retorted the Merboy. "Why, people of your kind say themselves that fish is good for their brains. Why should this be so if fish weren't what I've said they are?"
"That's so!" Jimmieboy answered, convinced at last. "But it seems queer."
"That's because you don't understand it," said the Merboy, patronizingly. "If you were a fish you'd understand it, but being a boy you can't be expected to. It's simple enough. You people on land are kept so busy all day long earning your living that you don't have time really to study. On the other hand, we sea people don't do anything but swim about all day and think. Didn't you ever notice me up there in the aquarium lying perfectly motionless in the water with my eyes gazing off on both sides of me with a far-away look in them?"
"Often," said Jimmieboy. "And I've wondered every time what you really were doing. Were you always thinking at those times?"
"Always," said the Merboy. "Always studying out something."
"And did you ever find out anything?" queried Jimmieboy.
"Yes," said the Merboy. "I've found out everything; but," he added, hastily, "don't ask me to tell you everything now because these Dolphins are a little skittish, and I've got to keep my mind on them or we'll be upset."
Here one of the Dolphins, to show how skittish he could be when he tried, stood erect on his tail, and then took a header deep down into the water, and in a moment Jimmieboy found himself clinging in alarm to the Merboy's arm.
"Don't do that!" cried the Merboy, "or you'll surely upset us."
"I was afraid he'd drag us under," panted Jimmieboy, releasing his hold.