A Cat Prince Distinguishes Himself Page 5

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  The Tembrils said Corry needed to earn his room and board, and they had an endless list of small maintenance items for their foster kids to complete. Patrick called it slave labor, but it was still better than summer at the children’s home, so nobody complained very loudly.

  An hour or two before sundown, everyone was usually permitted free time. Patrick and Martin liked to watch TV, but Corry wanted time alone. He went for long walks, explored palmetto and scrub oak thickets, examined gopher tortoises, startled armadillos, and chased the occasional snake through the long grass.

  Every day Corry carried the cowry shell in his pocket, and he did not know why.