“Our friend, Blaisdell, should be able to exist some time on his accumulation of fat. He ought not to seriously suffer from hunger as yet.”
“Like a camel living on its hump–eh?” said Wyn. “How about that, Tubby?”
“I’m no relation to a camel–I tell you that,” snorted the fat boy, with disgust.
“Then Mr. Blaisdell might imitate some insects; mightn’t he, Professor Skillings?” suggested Frank, with a sly look. “You know there are insects that live on nothing.”
“On nothing?” exclaimed the professor, quickly. “Oh, no, young lady, you are mistaken. That is quite impossible.”
“But, Professor! A moth lives on nothing; doesn’t it?”
“No, indeed. How could that be?” cried the scientific gentleman, greatly perturbed by Frank’s apparent display of ignorance.
“Why, moths eat holes; don’t they?” chortled Frank. “Surely ‘holes’ are a pretty slim diet.”
Professor Skillings led the laughter himself over this simple joke. But he added:
“I fear I should not be able to interest you in science, Frances.”