“Now, Schlichting,” said Average Jones, “here is a dollar. Every evening you must come here. Whether I am here or not, there will be a dollar for you. Do you understand?”
By way of answer the German reached down and listed his instrument to his lips.
“No, not that,” forbade Average Jones. “Put it down.”
“Not to play my B-flat trombone?” asked the other, innocently hurt. “The other gent he make play here always.”
“Did he?” drawled Average Jones. “And he—er—listened?”
“He listened from out there.” The musician pointed to the other room.
“How long?”
“Different times,” was the placid reply.
“But he was always in the other room.”
“Always. And I play Egypt. Like this.”