It was quietly put aside.
"Now," said Slimy, with the same deliberation, "I have to arst you just to lay down on the floor, just 'ere, see.

It's better to lay down quiet than to be knocked down, you see." Waymark mentally agreed that it was.

His behaviour might seem cowardly, but--to say nothing of the loathsomeness of a wrestle with Slimy--he knew very well that any struggle, or a shout for help, would mean his death.

He hesitated, felt ashamed, but looked at Slimy's red eye, and lay down.

In taking the position indicated, he noticed that three very large iron hooks had been driven firmly into the floor, in a triangular shape.