“Nonsense!” roared Tom, upon hearing these observations. “He’s so stupid that he even doesn’t know how to act sensibly. His thoughts wander, and every once in a while a little puff escapes from the safety-valve. If it wasn’t for that there would be an explosion big enough to wreck the shop.”
Cranny roared again, and complimented Tom on his wisdom.
“No use to try and draw him out,” complained Dick. “He’s a puzzle to me.”
“I know,” laughed Bob. “But Willie needs different treatment from most boys.” Then, as Beaumont had walked away, he said, in a lower tone: “Cranny couldn’t manage him in a hundred years.”
“Have you noticed how Willie acts in the shop?” asked Dave.
“Yes; and if it wasn’t for Mr. Ogden and his sons he’d be pokin’ his face into everything,” said Dick. “They keep after him all the time to keep him from meddling with things.”
“And that disturbs Willie, too; it isn’t necessary a bit.”
“No, it isn’t,” agreed Dave; “and I rather think——” The stout boy paused.
“Think what?” asked Bob.
“That from the way Cranny and his father talked Willie knew well enough they considered him stupid.”