"Don't mention it," replied the crab in a tired tone. "You did not
disturb me, so there is no harm done."

"We didn't know you were here," explained Trot.

"Probably not," said the crab. "It's no place for me, anyhow, for I
belong in the Constellations, you know, with Taurus and Gemini and
the other fellows. But I had the misfortune to tumble out of the
Zodiac some time ago. My name is Cancer, but I'm not a disease.
Those who examine the heavens in these days, alas! can find no
Cancer there."

"Yes we can, sir, Mister Cancer!" said the parrot with a chuckle.

"Once," remarked Cap'n Bill, "I sawr a picter of you in an almanac."

"Ah, the almanacs always did us full justice," the crab replied,
"but I'm told they're not fashionable now."

"If you don't mind, we'd like to pass on," said Button-Bright.

"No, I don't mind, but be careful not to step on my legs. They're
rheumatic, it's so moist here."

They climbed over some of the huge legs and walked around others.
Soon they had left the creature far behind. "Aren't you rather
slow?" asked the frog when once more they came up to him.

"It isn't that," said Trot. "You are rather swift, I guess." The