It took the saloon to bring us together.

Even so, our acquaintance might have been no more than a hand-grip and a word--he was a laconic old fellow--had it not been for the drinking.
"Have a drink," I said, with promptitude, after the pause which I had learned good form in drinking dictates.

Of course, while we drank our beer, which I had paid for, it was incumbent on him to listen to me and to talk to me.

And Johnny, like a true host, made the tactful remarks that enabled us to find mutual topics of conversation.

And of course, having drunk my beer, Captain Nelson must now buy beer in turn.