The lobster was still alive and the fisherman picked it up just back of the big, pinching claws, so he would not get nipped, and put the lobster in a basket for Mr. Brown to carry. Bunny and Sue leaned over, looking at the green shellfish, when a voice behind them asked:
"What is it?"
The children turned to see George Watson, a boy older than Bunny, who lived near him. George often played little tricks on Bunny and Sue.
"What is it?" he asked again. "A whale?"
"A big lobster," Bunny answered.
"I guess he could almost pinch your nose off in one of his claws," Sue said, not going too close to the basket.
"Pooh! I'm not afraid of him," George declared. "I'll let him pinch this stick," he went on, picking up one, and holding it out toward the lobster, which was slowly waving its "feelers" to and fro, and moving its big eyes, that looked like shoe buttons sticking out from its head.
"Better look out!" was Bunker's warning, seeing what George was doing.
"He'll nip you!"
"I'm not afraid!" boasted George. "I can——"
And just then something happened. George got his finger too near the lobster's claw and was at once caught.