Faber saluted her in a way he intended to be Continental.
"You have been in New York, signorina?"
"Five years, mister. I am all Americano!"
"Then I'll walk right in, if I may."
He did not wait for permission, but entered the cavern. It was evident that he would have liked a chair, but seeing none, he accepted a mat which she offered.
"Poppa burned all the chairs long ago. Can you sit down on nothing, mister?"
He said that he could, looking at Maryska all the while. Louis took a box of Bosnian cigarettes from the floor and passed it over.
"Say, are you thirsty, boss?"
Faber smiled at that.
"Well, this is thirsty ground. As the governor said—but I guess ye don't know what the governor——"