"I—I couldn't get used to the taste of them in my mouth," confessed the dude.
"You're more fun than a box of monkeys!" declared Lance.
"That reminds me, girls," said Chet, suddenly, and picking up the checks to pay the bill before Purt Sweet could get around to it. "There's an enormously funny monkey over here. Trained to a hair. I saw him over in Centerport when his owner brought him through——"
"I saw that monkey—with a piano organ. And such a nice looking Italian with it," declared Laura.
"Look out, Lance," whispered Chet, grinning, "she likes the romantic and dark complexioned style in heroes. Get some walnut stain and a black wig."
"Why, he was playing in the streets, over in town," said Jess.
"That was just to advertise his act before the season opened," declared Chet. "So he told me."
"All right," Laura said. "The boat isn't due yet, so we might as well remain with you boys until it comes and so keep you out of mischief."
"But I really look so badly——" began Purt.
"Never mind. You won't meet the Maline girls here," snapped Jess, as though she were still very angry with him.