"Boxer, I'm surprised!" cried Frank. "You will get me into trouble with your careless language. I insist that you apologize immediately to the gentleman. I insist, sir!"
"Oh, very well," said the dog; "if you insist, I'll apologize. I was joking, anyway."
"And I add my own apology, Mr. Schlitzenheimer," said Merry. "I hope this will be sufficient?"
"Oh, yah, dot peen all righdt," said the Dutchman at once. "But py dunder! der tickens id does peat to heard a tog dalking!"
"It's a good one on you, Fritz!" cried Benchy triumphantly. "Remember your agreement! You're stuck!"
"Vale, I will stood py dot agreements," said the saloon-keeper,[Pg 215] rather reluctantly, "efen if in pusiness id does preak me up. Und I vill sdant treat der crowdt vor. Sdep up, eferpody, und your trink name."
"That's the talk!" cried the dog. "You're not such a bad fellow, Schlitzy."
Schlitzenheimer leaned on the bar with both hands and looked over at Boxer.
"Vot will you haf yourseluf?" he asked.
"Excuse me," said the setter; "I'm on the water-wagon. Go ahead, gentlemen, and don't mind me."