“They’re big crabs, too,” put in Ted.
“And I caught the biggest one!” continued his sister. “It’s got blue claws!”
“Crabs! Crabs! What do I want of crabs?” asked the man in rather a testy, cross voice.
“You can boil them and make a salad,” volunteered Ted. “That’s what my father does with them. We caught the crabs for him, but we’ll sell ’em to you, cheap. My sister’s hungry, and thirsty too, I guess, and I am, too, and——”
“Yes, I’m awful thirsty,” sighed Janet.
“Do you mean to say that you go around catching crabs and getting adrift and then you trade the crabs for something to eat?” asked the gentleman.
“Oh, no, sir!” Ted hastened to explain. “This was an accident. This is the first time we have been crabbing in the bay. I borrowed Jimmie’s boat, and I lost his oars. I guess I’ll have to pay for them. Generally we crab off the dock near our cottage, but this time——”
“Oh, you’re summer visitors, like myself!” exclaimed the man, and, for the first time a smile appeared on his wrinkled face. “I thought you didn’t look like natives. Hum—well—so you’re hungry and thirsty, are you?”
“Yes, sir,” said Janet.
“I’ll go get you the crabs,” offered Ted, for he seemed to think the man was going to bargain with him.