Willoughby refuses to participate. After Abigail and Easy follow him around and speculate about the reasons, he confides the truth in them: He has never fished in his life, cannot stand the touch or taste of fish, cannot swim and cannot operate a boat. His success comes from listening to his customers, most of which are very talkative: he simply passes on the advice that one customer gives him to his other customers. Abigail and Easy, who themselves are adept at fishing, promise to teach Willoughby in the remaining days until the tournament starts.