“Animals and birds are a lot of work,” Vevi sighed. “After tomorrow I’ll let Snow White fly away. And as soon as Clover wins the race for the Brownies I’ll put him back in the pond.”
“Maybe Clover won’t come in first,” Connie replied. “I hear some of those hotel boys and girls have some fast turtles. Besides, Clover has been cooped up too long.”
“He should have more exercise,” agreed Vevi, frowning. “It’s hard to look after him properly when he’s here, and I’m at the cottage. But I’ll give him a good work-out today.”
The little girl removed the cover from the dish pan. Clover was sitting on a pile of wooden blocks which had been fixed for him. He stuck out his head and snapped at Vevi when she poked a stick at him.
“He still has plenty of pep, Connie. I think he will win first place in the race, don’t you?”
“I don’t know,” returned Connie. “But I’m sure of one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Someone has been taking care of him for you. See! The water has been changed and he’s been fed too.”
“That’s so, Connie! Do you suppose Captain Tarwell did it?”
“Maybe, but I wouldn’t think he would want to walk so far uphill just to feed a turtle or a pigeon.”