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 "Why, yes, so do I," agreed Bob, "but I don't see why you are so het up about it."

"You don't, eh? Well, if she was your mother—"

"She couldn't be, Nod; she isn't married. And I don't believe she's yours, either, no matter what you say."

"I didn't say she was," replied Laurie a trifle irritably. "I only said—I was just trying to make you see—Gee, you haven't any heart at all!"

"Oh, don't be an ass," laughed Bob. "I haven't said anything against the poor old soul. I'm mighty sorry for her, just as sorry as you are, but I can't do anything about it, can I?"

"No, but you needn't laugh at her!"

"I wasn't laughing at her, you nut! I—"

"Besides," continued Laurie, "if every one took your attitude about—about things, saying, 'I can't help it, can I?' I'd like to know what sort of a world this would be."

"Well, hang it, I can't!" said Bob emphatically, getting a trifle riled at his friend's unreasonableness. "Neither can you. So why stand there and—"