The lad surveyed the situation critically. Still he saw no other way than for them to haul 80the pack up by main strength. He told his companions to get ready for real work. The pack was heavier than Tad.
“I–I can’t do another thing,” wailed Chunky.
“Why can’t you?” demanded the Professor.
“My heart won’t stand it.”
“Oh, pooh!” scoffed Professor Zepplin.
“Did you ever have a thorough physical examination, Chunky?” questioned Ned.
“I don’t know. Why?”
“If you had you would no doubt have found that you hadn’t any heart at all.”
“Now, Ned, that isn’t fair,” chided Tad laughingly. “You know Stacy has a heart. He has shown many times that he has. The only trouble with it is that it isn’t as hard as it might be,” added the freckle-faced boy with a twinkle.
The fat boy wasn’t quite sure whether this was a compliment or otherwise. He decided to think about it and make up his mind later. But he most emphatically refused to pull a single pound on the rope. They compromised by making him look out for the stock.