Arthur and Waldo Brown were born twins and spent their childhood, their youth, middle-age and retirement together. They shared everything, even a girl, but their view of things differed. Waldo, a retired librarian, saw everything and understood little. Arthur was the fool who didn't bother to look. He understood. The book is set in Sydney, Australia in the early 20th century. The two men, sons of English immigrants, are never fully accepted by others even in their old age. They walk holding hands and this causes a stir among the local Aussies. Their somewhat sad lives are rather dull and drab.