And we were right, too, because when he came up on the cabin roof to get dry, all of a sudden, before any of us knew it, he was over at the edge and dived off before Mr.Ellsworth had a chance to call to him.

That was sure too much of a dive for a beginner, for if he hit the water face down and flat, _good night_, that might have been the end of him.

The skiff was hauled up then so Hunt Ward dived in after him, but he had to swim some to catch him and it was mighty funny to see them.
That night Mr.Ellsworth gave Skinny a good lecture and told him he mustn't do things like that until he was told to, but I guess Skinny didn't understand.

When I saw Mr, Ellsworth sitting alone on the deck after dark, I went up and sat down and began talking to him.

I often do that.
I said, "I guess Skinny's going to get the swimming badge, all right." "Yes, I guess he is," that's what Mr.Ellsworth said, "Skinny's too much for me.