When a hard crab grows, it finds its shell too small for it. The creature then bursts out from its horn-like casing. Once it is out it is soft and flabby. It hides away under the seaweed and only sharp eyes can find it. Soft crabs are scooped up in a net, as their claws are so flabby they cannot cling to the bait or piece of meat on a string.
“Well, we’ll have to try somewhere else,” said Bunny, as they walked out of Mrs. Jones’ yard with the basket.
“Sure,” agreed Harry. “Somebody will want hard crabs.”
After many calls the boys at last succeeded in selling the basket of hard crabs to Mrs. Hampton for fifty cents. This gave them twelve and a half cents each, and they were quite satisfied with their work.
“It was fun, anyhow,” said Bunny, as they divided the money; buying candy with the odd two cents and passing that around.
Sue was a little worried that evening when Bunny told her that the crab had pinched Patter. But when she had looked at the dog’s paw and could see no wound, she felt better.
“See if he’ll do his tricks,” she suggested.
And as Patter did them as well as ever, his little friends knew he was all right again.
“We must soon get ready for our show,” said Bunny.
“Yes,” agreed Sue. “And I’ll make a new suit for Patter. I’ll make it of silver and gold—like a fairy suit.”