"Hello, Nelly."
"I didn't know you lunched here."
"Don't often. Been rehearsing with Joe up at the Century Roof, and had a quarter of an hour to get a bite. Can I sit down?"
"Sure. This is my friend, Miss Mariner."
The young man shook hands with Jill, flashing an approving glance at her out of his dark, restless eyes.
"Pleased to meet you."
"This is Phil Brown," said Nelly. "He plays the straight for Joe Widgeon. They're the best jazz-and-hokum team on the Keith Circuit."
"Oh, hush!" said Mr. Brown modestly. "You always were a great little booster, Nelly."
"Well, you know you are! Weren't you held over at the Palace last time? Well, then!"
"That's true," admitted the young man. "Maybe we didn't gool 'em, eh? Stop me on the street and ask me! Only eighteen bows second house Saturday!"