[ planting a hand on one hip, he shoots the boy -- turtle? -- a skeptical look. ]

And yet you sicken, and the things that cling to your shell wither and die-- and I've had a real time of it trying to figure out how to fix you up.

[ more like fattening up an animal for slaughter, to be honest. but hopefully that meaning doesn't come across.

he leans forward intently, and does a good job of sounding genuinely concerned. ] Tell me how to help you.