“In that case we’ll each take two,” answered Dan.
“I’ll have an egg-and-chocolate,” said Gerald.
“Why?” asked Dan innocently. “Is it more?”
“You dry up or you won’t get anything,” said Alf as he ushered them through the door of the drug store. “Two hot chocolates and an egg-and-chocolate, please,” he announced to the clerk at the fountain.
“Hold on a bit,” interrupted Dan soberly. “I haven’t decided what mine is.” He looked about at the signs dangling in front of him. “‘Walnut Fudge Sundæ’; what do you suppose that is, Alf?”
“I don’t know, but it’s too cold for ice-cream things.”
“That’s so. Let me see, then. ‘Hot Malted Milk’; that won’t do; I had to take that once when I had a cold and the doctor wouldn’t let me eat real food.”
“Oh, hurry up, can’t you?” begged Alf. “Have a hot choc——”
“Ah! There it is, I’ll bet! ‘Hot Celery Wine’; sounds wicked, doesn’t it? Hot Celery Wine’s the drink for mine; it’s strong and fine and makes you shine——”
“Give it to him!” Alf exploded. “Give him a fried egg with it and let him have a real party!”