“Yes; perhaps he isn’t as cross as he looks,” Mrs. Martin said, with a smile. “Oh, Trouble! what have you there?” she suddenly cried, for she saw that the little fellow had picked up something from the sand and was bringing it to her. “What have you found?” she asked.
“Clam shell,” answered the little boy. “It’s a clam shell an’ it’s got suffin inside. Maybe it’s a little nellifunt inside,” he added, as he shook the shell and held it up to his ear.
“It isn’t a clam shell—it’s a whole clam!” exclaimed Ted. “A whopping big one, too. Let me see it, Trouble.”
“No! No!” murmured the little fellow, holding the object behind him. “Dis my nellifunt clam!”
“Give it to Mother, dear,” said Mrs. Martin, gently.
Trouble held it out to her.
“It is a big double clam shell,” she said, taking it in her hands. “The clam has been taken out, though,” she went on. “But there is something inside,” and she shook it. The Curlytops could hear a rattling noise.
“Oh, Mother! what you s’pose it is?” cried Janet, her eyes shining eagerly.
“Perhaps the poor, old clam that used to live in the shell has dried up and gone to sleep,” suggested Mrs. Martin. “Or it may be some pebbles or sand or dried seaweed inside. I’ll open it and look.”
The two curved halves of the clam shell were still joined together at the hinged back, but, unlike most shells of this kind, when the clam has been taken out, this one was closed, and not gaping wide open.