He sat down on the step to remove the borrowed boots.

A small rivulet of salt water poured from each as he pulled them off.
"For a walk! A swim, you mean.

How could you get in up to your waist if you just walked?
Did you fall down ?" "No, not exactly.

But I waited too long and the tide headed me off." "Mercy on us! you mustn't take chances on that tide.

If you'd told me you was goin', I'd have warned you to hurry back." "Oh, I've been warned often enough.