"With a little practice you might learn to swim," said the Urchin, "but you make lots of fuss in the water."
"So would you on dry land," panted Billy.
"But we wouldn't be so silly as to go on dry land," said the eel.
"I suppose that's as much as to say that it's silly of me to come into the sea."
"Take it or leave it—if the white cap fits you don't put it on," said the Urchin, turning a somersault in the water.
"Where are you going?" asked Ne'er Do Eel.
"Yes, you seem in a great hurry," said the Urchin.
"I'm going ashore as fast as I can," said Billy.
"That's your first guess—try another," said the eel, sticking his face up into Billy's.