“makes you feel so good? Where you been?”

“Oh, nowheres. Bumming round. Park.”

He turned in the direction of the stairway. Elmer lounged after him. “Oh, say, dame’s been calling you for the last hour and a half. Like to busted the phone. Makes me sick.”

“Aw, Bauers.”

“No, that wasn’t the name. Name’s Mary or Berry, or something like that. A dozen times, I betcha. Says you was to call her as soon as you come in. Drexel 47 — wait a min’t’ — yeh — that’s right — Drexel 473 — — ”

“Swell chanst,” said Nick. Suddenly his buoyancy was gone. His shoulders drooped. His cigarette dangled limp. Disappointment curved his lips, burdened his eyes. “Swell chanst!”