“Just for that I won’t tell you the latest joke,” said Herb. “It was a swell one, too.”
“Thank goodness for that!” exclaimed Joe, so fervently that Bob and Jimmy laughed heartily. Herb, however, appeared to have temporarily lost his vaunted sense of humor, for he seemed unable to see anything humorous in the situation.
“Never mind, Herb,” consoled Bob, seeing that Herbert was slightly “peeved.” “We’ll tune up the old radio set tomorrow night and listen to some of the broadcasted jokes. I’ve heard lots of them that were worse than yours.”
“Yes, and I’ve heard lots that were better, too,” retorted Joe.
“That’s just your opinion,” said Herb, loftily. “As you are no good as a judge of humor, though, I won’t worry about what you think.”
“That’s the spirit,” laughed Bob. “Joe really enjoys your jokes, anyway, Herb, only he won’t admit it. Why don’t you own up to the truth, Joe, and make Herb happy?”
“Oh, sure, I like them—just about as much as Jimmy would like a doughnut famine,” retorted Joe, grinning.
“There you are—back at me again,” said Jimmy, plaintively. “When in doubt, soak Jimmy. He’s got no friends. I notice though, Joe, that when I have a bag of doughnuts, you’re pretty keen about getting your share.”
“Quit your squabbling, you fellows,” counseled Bob. “And, by the way, don’t forget that we’re due at Doctor Dale’s house this evening. He’s been making a new crystal set that he thinks is dandy and he wants us to listen in on it.”
“A crystal set!” exclaimed Jimmy, in some surprise. “What’s he going back to that for? The tube lies all over the crystal, to my way of thinking.”