Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/249

 to imagine it—but I was greatly confused to find he could write far better than I and knew more about mathematics and the like. I will now admit, Bub, it was hard work eating that humble pie you gave me when I learned the truth.”

“That is the way one should talk,” cried Laura, her eyes beaming with appreciation. “If I were a boy—I mean a young man—I should want just such a friend as you are to each other.”

“Can’t a young man have girl friends?” mumbled Bub, casting down his eyes.

“Can’t two young men have a girl friend—the same friend?” added Stanley, following Bub’s diffident example.

Laura laughed delightedly and gave each a frank little hand. “Now, we are three friends,” she announced. “That means we must be very honest with each other. If you do not like my biscuits you mustn’t say you do. You must be sincere about everything in talking with a friend.”

“But I shall like your biscuits,” insisted Stanley.

“The idea of finding fault with the only girl friend I’ve got,” scoffed Bub.

“You two are hopelessly insincere, I can