"Mr. Burleigh," began Sibley, indignantly, "this fellow, Van Berg,
has the impudence to say that I must leave this house within half
an hour. I wish you to inform him that YOU are the proprietor of
this establishment."
"Humph," remarked Mr. Burleigh, phlegmatically, "that is your side
of the story. Now, Mr. Van Berg, let us have yours."
"Mr. Burleigh," said Van Berg, in tones that straightened up
the languid host in his easy chair, "would you permit a known and
recognized disreputable woman to be flaunting about this hotel?"
"You know me better than to ask such a question," said the landlord,
the color of his ruddy cheeks suddenly deepening.
"Well, sir, I claim that a man who bears precisely the same character
is no more to be tolerated; and I have learned to respect you as
one whom no consideration could induce to permit the presence of
a human beast, whose every thought of woman is an insult."
"It's all an infernal lie," began Sibley. "I only made a slight,
half-jesting allusion to that prudish little school-ma'am that
these fellows are so cracked over; and they have gone on like mad
bulls ever since."
Mr. Burleigh started to his feet with a tremendous oath.
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