"I bet it would seem something like a toy, unless a claw found a lip or nostril." He didn't want to think about what that might feel like. It was bad enough when they managed to get fingers or the sides of his hands.

He helped set the full trap aside. "We're going to have a fun time of it hauling all of these through the docks and Hightown," he said. That was something else he hadn't thought all the way through. Perhaps between the two of them it wouldn't be so bad once the crabs were all in a big enclosed basket.

He offered her the pole again. "Last one," he said. "I'd like it very much if you'd do the honors."