"And laughter is helpful to digestion," said a strange voice, apparently speaking from the doorway. "But should folks digest too well these doctors might find very little to do. So it is not to be wondered at if they object to letting much fun be made."
"But the doctors haven't objected," laughed Dr. Percival, "and I have no fear that work for them will fail even if some of their patients should laugh and grow fat."
"I presume that's what the little fellow that wants the fun has been doing," said the voice; "for as regards fat he is in prime condition."
At that Ned colored and looked slightly vexed. "Papa, am I so very fat?" he asked.
"None too fat to suit my taste, my son," replied the captain, smiling kindly on the little fellow.
"And you wouldn't want to be a bag of bones, would you?" queried the voice.
"No," returned Ned sturdily, "I'd a great deal rather be fat; bones are ugly things any way."
"Good to cover up with fat, but very necessary underneath it," said the voice. "You couldn't stand or walk if you had no bones."
"No; to be sure not; though I never thought about it before," returned Ned. "Some ugly things are worth more, after all, than some pretty ones."
"Very true," said the voice; "so we must not despise anything merely because it lacks beauty."