In fact he laughed so heartily that he began to slap his knee with his little fat hands. Ray laughed too and slapped his knee and shook all over like the little man. Every now and then in the midst of the laughter Mr. Pebble would catch something that flashed like sunbeams in his hand, but he did it so quickly that Ray could not make out just what he was doing.
“It’s really very funny,” said Ray; “but I’m not laughing at you, Mr. Pebble.”
“I’m not laughing at you,” returned little Mr. Pebble.
“What are you laughing at, may I ask?” said Ray politely.
“This is my busy season,” replied the little fellow; “that is why I laugh.”
Ray did not quite understand, but thinking he would find out later on in the conversation asked, “Did you say you lived inside this rock?”
“Yes, my boy, that is where we live.”
“Isn’t that strange?” murmured Ray to himself.
“Not at all,” replied Mr. Pebble, “my family—that is the entire Pebble branch—always live in rocks.”
“I’d like to see the inside of your house,” exclaimed Ray.