The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 97: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

————— SS Chan was silent for a moment. "If I might presume again, I would speak a few hearty words in praise of patience. Youth, pardon me, is too hot around the head. Take my advice, please, and wait." "Wait. Wait for what?" "Wait until I have snatched more conversation out of Tony. Tony very smart bird—he speaks Chinese. I am not so smart—but so do I." "And what do you think Tony would tell you?" "Tony might reveal just what is wrong on this ranch," suggested Chan. "I don't believe anything's wrong,” objected Eden. Chan shook his head. "Not very happy position for me,” he said, "that I must argue with bright boy like you are." "But listen, Charlie," Eden protested. "I promised to call my father this morning. And Madden isn't an easy man to handle." "Hoo malimali,” responded Chan. "No doubt you're right,” Eden said. "But I don't understand Chinese." "You have made natural error,’ Chan answered. "Pardon me while I correct you. That are not Chinese. It are Hawaiian talk. Well known in islands—hoo malimali —make Madden feel good by a little harmless deception. As my cousin Willie Chan, captain of All-Chinese 97 comiicboeoe S CO