And
that's another reason why I want you for my chauffeur."
"But--say, I--I can't shuv."
"Joe shall teach you."
"Joe? Y' mean--Joe Madden?"
"He'll be chauffeur number one--and there's a cross-town car! Come on,
Spider! Now--in with you!"
CHAPTER XXXI
IN WHICH SOAPY TAKES A HAND
O'Rourke's was full: its long bar, shaped something like the letter J,
supported many lounging arms and elbows; its burnished foot-rail was
scraped by boots of many shapes and sizes; its heavy air, thick with
cigarette smoke, hummed with many voices. In one corner, a remote corner
where few ventured to penetrate, Soapy leaned, as pallid and
noncommittal as ever, while Spike poured out to him the story of his
woes.
"She drove me out, Soapy! She drove me away from her!" he repeated for
the hundredth time. The boy was unnaturally flushed and bright of eye,
and his voice was as shaky as the hand which fidgeted with his whisky
glass; and the sense of his wrongs was great and growing greater with
every sip.
"She told me t' leave her! She drove me away from her--"
"So you come here, eh, Kid?" drawled Soapy, pendent cigarette
smouldering.
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