Rex hesitated.
“Don’t think I care about climbing trees.”
“Not like climbing trees!” uttered Billy. “Whyever not?”
“Oh—I’m not keen on it.”
“But—fruit trees!” Billy’s eyes were round. “How on earth are you going to get fruit if you never climb?”
“Well—I can buy it.”
“You can’t buy it more’n once a week, if you’re livin’ with us,” affirmed Billy. “An’ fruit in shops isn’t half as good as fruit picked off trees. Besides, every one climbs.”
“Well, I don’t, so that’s flat.”
Billy surveyed him with amazement. Courtesy to guests had been preached to him, but this was a serious matter. There surged over his mind the utter impossibility of living with a boy who refused to climb.
“I believe you’re afraid!” he burst out.