DB<119> sub dive {
           my $val=shift;
           $val = $val->{$_} for @_;
           return $val;
           }

  DB<120> $nethist
 => { "seek" => { messages => 42 } }

  DB<121> dive ($nethist)
 => { "seek" => { messages => 42 } }

  DB<122> dive ($nethist,"seek","messages")
 => 42

  DB<123> dive ($nethist,"seek")
 => { messages => 42 }