"It's fun to see them go in," said Faith, placing one on the rock and one on the shingle, where they rested at first without sign of life; but in a minute out came head and legs and, spurning the perches with their strong feet, plump the turtles went into the water and to the bottom, evidently convinced that they were outwitting their captors.
"Don't you want to choose one special one for yours, Gladys? It's fun to name them," said Faith.
The visitor hesitated only a moment. "I choose the baby, then," she said. "You know I'm afraid of the big ones."
Ernest thought she was joking. It did not occur to him that any one who had seen Faith's happiness in finding the prince could seriously think of taking it from her.
"Yes," he laughed, "I guess you and I won't get a chance at that one, Gladys."
Faith's expression changed and her eyes grew thoughtful. "Hurry up, girls," continued Ernest, "come on, we won't have very much time."
So the turtles, prince and all, were left disporting themselves in the tub, and the trio went down to the pond, where Ernest untied his boat. Faith jumped in, but Gladys timorously placed her little foot upon the unsteady gunwale, and the children had to help her into the boat as they had done over the wall.
"I wish I'd brought Vera," she said when she was seated and Ernest was pushing the boat off.
"Next time we will," replied Faith.
"I don't see why Ernest couldn't go back for her now," said Gladys. "I'm not used to walking so much and I'm too tired to go myself."