"That's fine," said Ned, with more than a trace of sarcasm. "What about?"
"Why," answered Proudtree, easing his generous bulk into a chair, "he said you fellows were twins."
"Not only were," said Laurie, gently, "but are. Don't mind, do you?"
"Oh, come off your horse," begged the visitor. "Don't be so cocky. Who's said anything? I just wanted to have a look. Never saw any twins before--grown-up twins, I mean. You understand."
"Thought you said you came to extend the hand of friendship," retorted Ned, sarcastically. "Well, have a good look, partner. There's no charge!"
Proudtree grinned and accepted the invitation. Ned fumed silently under the inspection, but Laurie's sense of humor came to his aid. Proudtree appeared to be getting a lot of entertainment from his silent comparison of his hosts, and presently, when Ned's exasperation had just about reached the explosive point, he chuckled.
"The--the clue! I know how to tell you apart! His eyes are different from yours; more blue. Yours are sort of gray. But, geewhillikins, it must be a heap of fun! Being twins, I mean. And fooling people. You understand."
"Well, if you're quite through," snapped Ned, "maybe you'll call it a day. We've got things to do."
"Meaning you'd like me to beat it?" asked the visitor, good-temperedly.
"Oh, come, Ned," Laurie protested, soothingly, "he's all right. I dare say we are sort of freakish and--"
"Sure," agreed Proudtree, eagerly, "that's what I meant. But say, I didn't mean to hurt any one's feelings. Geewhillikins, if I got waxy every time the fellows josh me about being fat--" Words failed him and he sighed deeply.
Laurie laughed. "We might start a side-show, the three of us, and make a bit of money. 'Only ten cents! One dime! This way to the Siamese Twins and the Fat Boy! Walk up! Walk up!'"
Proudtree smiled wanly. "I only weigh a hundred and seventy-eight and three quarters, too," he said dolorously. "If I was a couple of inches taller it wouldn't be so bad."
"I don't think it's bad as it is," said Laurie, kindly. "You don't look really _fat_; you just look sort of--of--"
"Amplitudinous," supplied Ned, with evident satisfaction.
Proudtree viewed him doubtfully. Then he smiled. "Well, I've got to get rid of nearly fifteen pounds in the next two weeks," he said, with a shake of his head, "and that's going to take some doing."