“That’s just the point,” replied Slim. “The rotten bananas are old and the lead pipe’s new. Give the lead pipe another two years, Johnny, and you can slap Paternos on the back and get away with it.”
“I’m more likely to slap him on the head with a crow-bar,” grumbled Johnny. Then: “Say, fellows, want some lemonade?”
“Not for worlds,” answered Slim promptly. “Where is it?”
“I’ll have Dora make a pitcher in a shake of a lamb’s tail,” said Johnny eagerly, as he disappeared. Slim smiled over at Leonard and Leonard smiled back. Then the latter exclaimed protestingly:
“Just the same, he’s a mighty decent sort, Slim!”
“Of course he is,” agreed the other calmly. “I told you that across the street. Johnny’s all right.”
“Well, then, aren’t you—aren’t you afraid of hurting his feelings? Talking to him the way you do, I mean.”
“Not a bit. Johnny knows me, and he knows that what I say is for the good of his soul. We aristocrats, General, have got to make the hoi polloi understand that they can’t shove into our sacred circle off-hand. They’ve got to train for it, old man; work up; go through an initiation.”
Leonard observed Slim in puzzlement and doubt.