Feeling ashamed to have caused so much trouble, Connie and Vevi explained once more about their search for a racing turtle. Then they introduced Captain Tarwell and told how he had brought them safely to the beach.
“’Twas nothing,” insisted the captain when Mrs. Williams and Miss Gordon tried to thank him. “The children weren’t lost really. The fog only confused them.”
Captain Tarwell turned to leave. Vevi took off the jacket he had given her and politely returned it.
“So you’d like to have a racing turtle?” the old man asked.
“Oh, yes!”
“Tell you what! If your troop leader says the word, I’ll take all the Brownies to the pond to hunt for turtles. Blast my barnacles, I will!”
“Oh, may we go?” cried Vevi.
“Tomorrow?” demanded Connie.
Miss Gordon laughed and said she would think the matter over.
That night, the Brownies sat around a fire at Starfish Cottage, singing songs and telling stories.