"So long as seven thousand four hundred and eighty-two feet, five
inches and a quarter?" asked the Sea Serpent.

"No, I mean so many years," replied the sailor.

"But what can one do if one happens to be a sea serpent?" Anko
inquired. "There is nothing in the sea that can hurt me, and I
cannot commit suicide because we have no carbolic acid or firearms
or gas to turn on. So it isn't a matter of choice, and I'd about as
soon be alive as dead. It does not seem quite so monotonous, you
know. But I guess I've stayed about long enough, so I'll go home to
dinner. Come and see me when you have time."

"Thank you," said Trot, and Merla added, "I'll take you over to his
majesty's palace when we go out and let you see how he lives."

"Yes, do," said Anko. And then he slowly slid out of the hole, which
immediately closed behind him, leaving the coral wall as solid as
before.

"Oh!" exclaimed Trot. "King Anko forgot to tell us what his third
pain was about."

"So he did," said Cap'n Bill. "We must ask him about that when we
see him. But I guess the ol' boy's mem'ry is failin', an' he can't
be depended on for pertic'lars."