“You think you could do it?” Tom asked him, kind of doubtful and serious.
“Slady, don’t make me laugh,” Hervey said.
“It would be some stunt,” said Tom.
“What do you mean, stunt?” Hervey shot back. “Slady, I’ll show you—you just leave it to me.”
“You’ll try it then?”
“Try it! Don’t make me smile, Slady. You tell ’em I’ll do it. Here’s my hand on it.”
“I don’t want your hand,” said Tom; “give it to Mr. Arnoldson. If you really mean business, if you really think you could do it, if you really want to give your hand on it, as a pledge——”
“Posilutely,” Hervey said.
“Well, then, give your hand to Mr. Arnoldson,” Tom said; “he’s a trustee. Go ahead, if you mean business and are not just bluffing, give your hand to Mr. Arnoldson. Are you game? Talk is cheap. Now see if you’re game.”
Gee whiz, I had to laugh to see Hervey walk up as bold and friendly as could be and shake hands with Mr. Arnoldson. Honest, that fellow’s a scream. Mr. Arnoldson was laughing all over. Before they got through shaking hands who should go running up but Sandwich, jumping up at Mr. Arnoldson and at Hervey and barking like mad.