“I’m afraid of nobody,” declared Burns, eagerly reaching for the glass. “I have drunk all I could get, and I always shall, for all of anybody.”
“That’s the talk!”
“Down with it!”
“Take your medicine!”
“You’re the boy!”
The crowd shouted its approval.
Burns lifted the glass.
Frank’s hand fell gently on his arm.
“Mr. Burns,” he said, swiftly, “I ask you as a particular favor not to drink that liquor. I ask you as a gentleman not to do it.”
Merry knew how to appeal to the old man in a manner that would touch the right spot. Burns looked straight into Frank’s eyes an instant, and then he placed the glass on the bar.