By my "swell friend" she meant Lolly.
She got out of bed, however, felt under the bureau, and produced and lighted a candle. Then she examined and rubbed my ankle, and, grumbling and muttering things about Lolly, helped me undress and into bed. When I supposed she had dropped off asleep, she sat up suddenly in bed.
"Say, I'd like to ask you something. Have you got a steady?" she said.
"No, Estelle; I wish I had," I replied mournfully.
"Well," said Estelle, "you sure are going the way about nit to get one. You let them swell guys alone that come nosing around you. Say, do you know I thought you were in for a nice, steady fellow when I seen Pop-eyes"—Pop-eyes was her term for Hermann—"hanging round here. Then I seen Miss Hope"—with a sneer—"had cut you out. Say, I'd 'a' like' to have handed her one for that. Who was the swell took you out last night?"
"His name's Chambers. He's Lolly's friend."
"And who was the man to see you to-night? Looked to me as if he were stuck on you."
I sat up in bed excitedly.
"Oh, Estelle, did it?"
"Humph! I was right there next to you, on the next sofa with Albert, but, gee! you didn't see nothing but him, and he was looking at you like he'd eat you up if you give him half a chance."