Andy could not resist the opportunity of seeing how his joke would turn out—especially when there was a girl present to witness it.
"Oh, I—I don't want to now," replied Chet, and he took a step backward. Accidentally he stepped on the paper containing the large lobster. The string slipped off. There was a rustling movement in the wrapping and the paper suddenly opened. Something of a sort of greenish hue came into view; something with big claws. Neither Chet nor Andy noticed it, for they were both talking to Miss Mabel. The girl saw the lobster slowly reach up one large claw.
"Oh!" she screamed.
"What's the matter?" asked Andy.
He knew a moment later, for the crustacean caught him by the left ankle in a firm grip, and held on, while the would-be joker danced about on one leg, holding the other up in the air with the lobster dangling from, it. The tables were effectually turned.
CHAPTER IX
"THAR SHE BLOWS!"
"Take him off!" yelled Andy, dancing about. "Grab him, Chet. Wow!
How he pinches!"
"Oh! Don't let it get loose!" begged Miss Mabel, looking for a place upon which she could climb out of danger.
"Loose! That's just what I want to do—get him loose!" cried Andy.