a closer look. âWhy donât you just stick something spongy to the claws? It could hold on to things better that way.â
âGood idea,â Theo said. âWe can fasten some pieces of foam to each of the extensors. What do you think, Luke?â
âI donât think it will work,â Luke said. âWe just need to adjust the rotation of the gear to the claws.â
âCallieâs idea is worth a try, at least,â Theo said. âThat way the robot could hold on to things of different sizes.â
The kitten shifted again and Comet started sniffing at Callieâs boot.
She tried to use her foot to push him away, but he didnât back up. The dog moved his nose from her boot to her leg and growled at her. She put her hand in her pocket, holding on to Tocho so he wouldnât poke his head out.
âWeird,â Luke said. âComet likes everybody. Maybe you smell funny.â
âThanks a lot.â
âNo, I meantâ¦I meant maybe you smell like your dog or something.â
Comet came closer, almost sticking his nose in her pocket. The kitten squirmed and hissed, and then gave a loud enough meow for everyone to hear.
âWhatâs that?â Luke asked, just as Comet gave one startled bark.
âIt sounded like a cat,â Theo said.
For a moment Callie wondered if she couldbluff her way out of it and claim she was just clearing her throat or something, but Tocho stuck his head out of her pocket before she could do anything. Comet barked again, bringing his face close to Callieâs pocket, growling.
âLuke, get your dog away. Heâs scaring my kitten.â Callie put her hand on Tocho in case Comet jumped at them.
âYou brought a kitten into Camp David?â Theo asked, as Luke grabbed hold of Cometâs collar. âIs that allowed?â
Everybody looked at Adam.
âI donât think it ever occurred to anyone to make a rule,â Adam said. âThe people who visit here donât normally carry their pets around in their pockets. Now that itâs been done, though, someone will have to make a rule against it.â
âYou wonât take him away from me, will you?â Callie asked, worried. She took Tocho out of her pocket and held him close, glancing at Adam. Adam didnât look like he was angry, but she knew from past experience that it was hard to know what Secret Service agents were thinking. The kitten stopped struggling and snuggled closer.
âWeâll see,â Adam said.
âHeâs so little, he wonât hurt anything, I promise.His name is Tocho. It means âpantherâ in Hopi,â she said, not knowing what else to say.
Luke cracked up laughing. âThat little smudge of fur doesnât look much like a panther.â
âHe will when heâs bigger,â Callie said defensively. âAt least heâs going to grow into something. Your dog is already grown and still looks like a stuffed animal.â
âSo what!â Luke yelled. At the sound of Lukeâs raised voice, Comet started barking.
Tocho struggled in Callieâs hands. He was so skinny, he squeezed through her grip and jumped to the ground. Arching his back, Tocho spit at Comet. The dog broke away from Luke and skidded to a stop inches from the kitten. He sniffed at Tocho cautiously and wagged his tail, but then the kitten lost his nerve and took off at a zigzag run over the grass and into the woods. Comet hesitated just for a moment and then dashed after him. Within seconds, the dog caught up. Just as Cometâs jaws were about to close on the kitten, Tocho turned abruptly to one side. Comet lost his balance, tumbling over. The little kitten kept running.
âStop, boy!â Luke yelled. Comet picked himself up and took off again after the kitten.
âHeâll hurt Tocho if he catches him!â Callie yelled. She ran after Comet, not able to see Tocho anymore. âGet your stupid dog,
âGood idea,â Theo said. âWe can fasten some pieces of foam to each of the extensors. What do you think, Luke?â
âI donât think it will work,â Luke said. âWe just need to adjust the rotation of the gear to the claws.â
âCallieâs idea is worth a try, at least,â Theo said. âThat way the robot could hold on to things of different sizes.â
The kitten shifted again and Comet started sniffing at Callieâs boot.
She tried to use her foot to push him away, but he didnât back up. The dog moved his nose from her boot to her leg and growled at her. She put her hand in her pocket, holding on to Tocho so he wouldnât poke his head out.
âWeird,â Luke said. âComet likes everybody. Maybe you smell funny.â
âThanks a lot.â
âNo, I meantâ¦I meant maybe you smell like your dog or something.â
Comet came closer, almost sticking his nose in her pocket. The kitten squirmed and hissed, and then gave a loud enough meow for everyone to hear.
âWhatâs that?â Luke asked, just as Comet gave one startled bark.
âIt sounded like a cat,â Theo said.
For a moment Callie wondered if she couldbluff her way out of it and claim she was just clearing her throat or something, but Tocho stuck his head out of her pocket before she could do anything. Comet barked again, bringing his face close to Callieâs pocket, growling.
âLuke, get your dog away. Heâs scaring my kitten.â Callie put her hand on Tocho in case Comet jumped at them.
âYou brought a kitten into Camp David?â Theo asked, as Luke grabbed hold of Cometâs collar. âIs that allowed?â
Everybody looked at Adam.
âI donât think it ever occurred to anyone to make a rule,â Adam said. âThe people who visit here donât normally carry their pets around in their pockets. Now that itâs been done, though, someone will have to make a rule against it.â
âYou wonât take him away from me, will you?â Callie asked, worried. She took Tocho out of her pocket and held him close, glancing at Adam. Adam didnât look like he was angry, but she knew from past experience that it was hard to know what Secret Service agents were thinking. The kitten stopped struggling and snuggled closer.
âWeâll see,â Adam said.
âHeâs so little, he wonât hurt anything, I promise.His name is Tocho. It means âpantherâ in Hopi,â she said, not knowing what else to say.
Luke cracked up laughing. âThat little smudge of fur doesnât look much like a panther.â
âHe will when heâs bigger,â Callie said defensively. âAt least heâs going to grow into something. Your dog is already grown and still looks like a stuffed animal.â
âSo what!â Luke yelled. At the sound of Lukeâs raised voice, Comet started barking.
Tocho struggled in Callieâs hands. He was so skinny, he squeezed through her grip and jumped to the ground. Arching his back, Tocho spit at Comet. The dog broke away from Luke and skidded to a stop inches from the kitten. He sniffed at Tocho cautiously and wagged his tail, but then the kitten lost his nerve and took off at a zigzag run over the grass and into the woods. Comet hesitated just for a moment and then dashed after him. Within seconds, the dog caught up. Just as Cometâs jaws were about to close on the kitten, Tocho turned abruptly to one side. Comet lost his balance, tumbling over. The little kitten kept running.
âStop, boy!â Luke yelled. Comet picked himself up and took off again after the kitten.
âHeâll hurt Tocho if he catches him!â Callie yelled. She ran after Comet, not able to see Tocho anymore. âGet your stupid dog,