a perfect frenzy of
apology.

"Gimme a _Schweizerkaese_ sandwich and a cup of coffee," Mr. Kotzen
concluded, "and if you don't think you can bring it back here in half an
hour, Louis, let me know, that's all, and I'll ask Wasserbauer if he can
help you out."

Abe had started on his second dill pickle, and he held it in his hand as
he turned around in his chair. "Hallo, Hymie," he said; "ain't you
feeling good to-day?"

"Oh, hallo, Abe," Kotzen cried, glancing over; "why don't you come over
and sit at my table?"

"I guess I will," Abe replied. He rose to his feet with his napkin
tucked into his collar and, carrying the dish of dill pickles with him,
he moved over to Kotzen's table.

"What's the matter, Hymie?" Abe asked. "You ain't sick, are you?"

"That depends what you call it sick, Abe," Hymie replied. "I don't got
to see no doctor exactly, Abe, if that's what you mean. But that Sam
Feder by the Kosciusko Bank, I was over to see him just now, and I bet
you he makes me sick."

"I thought you always got along pretty good with Sam, Hymie," Abe
mumbled through a mouthful of dill pickle.

"So I do," said Hymie; "but he heard it something about this here Ready
Pay Store and how I'm in it for fifteen hundred, and also this Cohen &
Schondorf sticks me also, and he's getting anxious. So, either he wants
me I should give him over a couple of accounts, or either I should take
up some of my paper. Well, you know Feder, Abe. He don't want nothing
but A Number One concerns, and then he got the bank's lawyer what is his
son-in-law, De Witt C. Feinholz, that he should draw up the papers; and
so it goes. I got it bills receivable due the first of the month, five
thousand dollars from such people like Heller, Blumenkrohn & Co., of
Cincinnati, and The Emporium, Duluth, all gilt-edge accounts, Abe, and
why should I lose it twenty per cent. on them, ain't it?"

"Sure," Abe murmured.

"Well, that's what I told Feder," Hymie went on. "If I got to take up a
couple of thousand dollars I'll do it. But running a big plant like I
got it, Abe, naturally it makes me a little short."

"Naturally," Abe agreed. He scented what was coming.

"But anyhow, I says to Feder, I got it lots of friends in the trade, and
I ain't exactly broke yet, neither, Abe."

He lifted his Swiss-cheese sandwich in his left hand, holding out the
third finger the better to display a five-carat stone, while Abe devoted
himself to his veal.

"Of course, Abe