“To the Bowery Mission,” said Joe derisively.
“Yeah,” said Jewel. “You look it!”
Joe laughed, and felt more at his ease. After all, there was something about Jewel. . . . She didn’t talk with a sponge in her mouth like other girls. She gave it to you straight. “I had a steak at Dolan’s,” he said offhand.
“Yes, you did!” said Jewel. “Where’d you git the price?”
“Oh, I hooked a coupla cat-skins offen a pushcart.”
“Were you chased?” asked Jewel eagerly.
“Nah! What d’ye think I am?”
Jewel paid no attention to the question. Her thoughts pursued their own course.
“Come on up,” she said in friendly fashion.
Joe went hot and cold. At first he didn’t know what to say.