different. The thin-lipped mouths were from the same mould, but George's
lips were firm and muscular, while Al's were soft and loose--the lips of an
ascetic turned voluptuary. There was also a sag at the corners. His flesh
hinted of grossness, especially so in the eagle-like aquiline nose that
must once have been like the other's, but that had lost the austerity the
other's still retained.

Al fought for steadiness in the middle of the floor. The silence bothered
him. He had a feeling that he was about to begin swaying back and forth.
He moistened his lips with his tongue.

"I'm going to stay," he said desperately.

He dropped his eyes and plucked again at his sleeve.

"And you are only twenty-six years old," George said at last. "You poor,
feeble old man."

"Don't be so sure of that," Al retorted, with a flash of belligerence.

"Do you remember when we swam that mile and a half across the channel?"

"Well, and what of it?" A sullen expression was creeping across Al's face.

"And do you remember when we boxed in the barn after school?"

"I could take all you gave me."

"All I gave you!" George's voice rose momentarily to a higher pitch. "You
licked me four afternoons out of five. You were twice as strong as I--