So I went too ; for I had nothing to play with but caddises and dragon-flies and trout . '' `` Ugh ! '' cried the lady , `` what low company ! '' `` My dear , if he has been in low company , he has certainly not learnt their low manners , '' said the salmon . `` No , indeed , poor little dear : but how sad for him to live among such people as caddises , who have actually six legs , the nasty things ; and dragon-flies , too ! why they are not even good to eat ; for I tried them once , and they are all hard and empty ; and , as for trout , every one knows what they are . '' Whereon she curled up her lip , and looked dreadfully scornful , while her husband curled up his too , till he looked as proud as Alcibiades . `` Why do you dislike the trout so ? '' asked Tom . `` My dear , we do not even mention them , if we can help it ; for I am sorry to say they are relations of ours who do us no credit . A great many years ago they were just like us : but they were so lazy , and cowardly , and greedy , that instead of going down to the sea every year to see the world and grow strong and fat , they chose to stay and poke about in the little streams and eat worms and grubs ; and they are very properly punished for it ; for they have grown ugly and brown and spotted and small ; and are actually so degraded in their tastes , that they will eat our children . '' `` And then they pretend to scrape acquaintance with us again , '' said the lady . `` Why , I have actually known one of them propose to a lady salmon , the little impudent little creature . '' `` I should hope , '' said the gentleman , `` that there are very few ladies of our race who would degrade themselves by listening to such a creature for an instant . If I saw such a thing happen , I should consider it my duty to put them both to death upon the spot . '' So the old salmon said , like an old blue-blooded hidalgo of Spain ; and what is more , he would have done it too . For you must know , no enemies are so bitter against each other as those who are of the same race ; and a salmon looks on a trout , as some great folks look on some little folks , as something just too much like himself to be tolerated . CHAPTER IV `` Sweet is the lore which Nature brings ; Our meddling intellect Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things We murder to dissect . Enough of science and of art : Close up these barren leaves ; Come forth , and bring with you a heart That watches and receives . '' WORDSWORTH .
So the salmon XXXXX up , after Tom had warned them of the wicked old otter ; and Tom went down , but slowly and cautiously , coasting along shore .
degrade going hope knows learnt looks mention receives tried went