d, but the little city girl cried out and
dropped him on the grass.

"Oh, excuse me," laughed Faith. "I thought you wanted to see it."

"I do, but I don't believe I want to touch it."

"Why, they're the dearest, cleanest things," said Faith, and picking up the
turtle she showed her cousin its pretty under shell of cream color and
black, and the round splashes of gold on its black back.

"But I saw it kicking and scratching Ernest, and putting its head way out,"
said Gladys doubtfully, "and I don't like to hold it because it might put
out all its legs and things again."

Faith laughed. "It only has four legs and a cunning little tail; and we
know how to hold it so it can't scratch us, anyway; but it won't put out
its head again until it thinks we've gone away, because this is an old one.
See, the shell covers my hand all over. The littler ones are livelier and
more willing to put out their heads. I don't believe we've had this one
before, Ernest," added Faith, examining the creature. "We nearly always
use the big ones for horses," she explained, "and then there's a gimlet
hole through the shell."

"Who would do that?" exclaimed Gladys, drawing back.

"Ernest. Why!" observing her cousin's look of horror. "It doesn't hurt
them. We wouldn't hurt them for anything. We just love them, and if they
weren't geese they'd love us, too."

"Use them for horses? What do you mean?"

"Why, they draw my smallest dolls in lovely chariots."

"Oh," returned Gladys. This sounded mysterious and interesting. She even
took the clean, compact shell into her hands for a minute before Faith
gathered up her dress skirt and dropped the turtle into it, the three
proceeding along the brook side, taking up their watch again.

The warm, sunny day brought the turtles out, and the next one they saw was
not larger than the palm of Ernest's hand. It was swimming leisurely with
the current.

They all three saw it at once, but quick as Faith was, the lively little
creature was quicker. As she and Ernest both darted upon it, it scrambled
for her side and burrowed swiftly under the bank. This was the best
stronghold for the turtle, and the children knew it.

"I just can't lose him, I can't!" cried Faith, and Gladys wondered at the
fearless energy with which she dived her hand into the mud, feeling around,
unmindful which portion of the little animal she grasped if she only caught
him; and catch him she did. With a squeal of delight she pulled out