H Irving Hancock

Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz H Irving Hancock

Publisher Marketing: READY FOR FIGHT OR FROLIC "Do you care to go out this evening, Danny boy?" asked Dave Darrin, stepping into his chum's room. "I'm too excited and too tired," confessed Ensign Dalzell. "The first thing I want is a hot bath, the second, pajamas, and the third, a long sleep." "Too bad," sighed Dave. "I wanted an hour's stroll along Broadway." "Don't let my indolence keep you in," urged Dalzell. "If you're going out, then I can have the first hot bath, and be as long about it as I please. Then I'll get into pajamas and ready for bed. By that time you'll be in and we can say good night' to each other." "I feel a bit mean about quitting you," Dave murmured. "And I feel a whole lot meaner not to go out with you," Dan promptly assured his chum. "So let's compromise; you go out and I'll stay in." "That sounds like a very odd compromise," laughed Darrin. "On the whole, Dan, I believe I won't go out." "If that's the way you feel," argued Dalzell, "then I'm going to change my mind and go out with you. I won't be the means of keeping you from your stroll." "But you really don't want to go out," Dave objected. "Candidly, I don't care much about going out; I want that bath and I'm tired. Yet in the good old cause of friendship--" "Friendship doesn't enter in, here," Dave interposed. "Danny boy, you stay here in the hotel and have your bath, I'll go out and pay my very slight respects to Broadway. Doubtless, by the time you're in pajamas, I'll be back, and with all my longing for wandering satisfied." "Then, if you really don't mind--" "Not at all, old chap! So long! Back in a little while." Through the bathroom that connected their two rooms at the Allsordia Hotel, Dave Darrin stepped into his own apartment.