“I’m addressing this young man here,” he said haughtily. “I’m remonstrating against bringing common, dirty, foul-smelling creatures like those Indians onto the veranda of this hotel, and I hope my remonstrance will be heeded. If it occurs again, the guests will feel it their duty to protest to the management.”
“They may file their protests as soon as they please,” said Dick quietly. “Those Indians are friends of mine.”
“Aw, really, you ought to be ashamed to make such an acknowledgement. If circumstances of any sort made it necessary for me to know such characters, I’d certainly do my best to hide the fact from the general public. I’d never acknowledge that I was friendly with an Indian, never.”
“Don’t worry,” returned Dick; “you would never have the chance, for I don’t know an Indian who would care to be friendly with you. Look here, Mr. Ling, you’re poking your nose into a crack where it’s liable to get pinched.”
“Or twisted,” growled Buckhart. “Back up, Ling. Chase yourself, before somebody is tempted to put their paws on you and toss you over the rail.”
“Such insolence!” sniffed Ling. “I don’t understand how such cheap, common people ever could find accommodations here.”
“Judging by appearances, your understanding is very limited,” said Merriwell. “Really, I think it is dangerous for you to strain your meagre intellect to understand things beyond your narrow scope.”
“Now, say, that’s insulting—actually insulting! I shall hold myself in restraint, however. In behalf of the ladies and gentlemen who were offended, I protest again against a repetition of your recent behavior.”
“Go away and play with your dolls,” begged Tucker. “If you annoy people, somebody will give you a spanking.”
Mr. Ling gasped and choked.