'Look how he bites his tail,' cried Mrs. Stewart, 'why do you do that, Carlo?'
'Hydrophobia, perhaps,' suggested Allan; and some of the bystanders edged a little farther away.
'Poor little dog,' said Gerald soothingly; 'tell us what's the matter with you.'
At the sound of the pitying voice the little dog gathered up his ears, then sat up and uttered a doleful howl, accompanied by agitated movements of his fore-paws.
'There's something clinging to his tail,' cried Reggie suddenly, pouncing upon him. 'Why, just look at this; it's a couple of small crabs!'
'Where can he have got them from?' asked Mrs. Stewart, looking bewildered; 'he came from upstairs.'
'Oh, it's—it's—I know,' stuttered Gerald, flushing deeply. 'It's—I'll put it all right, you needn't come.'
The remainder of the sentence was lost as he hurried upstairs.
'Whatever is he about?' said Marjorie; 'let's go and see.'
Gerald became very red again as he was discovered in the room which he shared with Harry, collecting some small objects from the floor.