"It put Mr. Dround in a tight place."
"What of it, anyhow?" said I. "Birdsell is nothing but a yellow dog. Hart keeps him to lick his platters. Every one knows that."
"Yes, that's so. But he said what most every one believes is true."
"That kissing goes by favor, and most other things in this world, too. Well, what of it?"
Slocum leaned back in his chair and laughed. Then he said to me seriously:—
"You aren't much troubled with scruples, Van!"
"Come, what's the use of talking good? You and I know well enough that there isn't any other way of doing business, not in any city in the country. You have got to pay for what you get, the same as elsewhere. Dround ought to know it, too, by this time, and not go 'round preaching loose—or else get out of business, which might be better!"
"You aren't much troubled with scruples, Van!"