stands—expects that the engagement between you Miss Vanderhurst shall be———”
“Good-night!” said Murray, moving away.
“You madman!” cried the other, catching his arm. “Would you give up two millions on account of———”
‘‘Did you ever see her nose, old man?” asked Murray, solemnly.
“But, listen to reason, Jerry. Miss Vanderhurst is an heiress, and———”
“Did you ever see it?”
“Yes, I admit that her nose isn’t———”
“Good night!” said Murray. “My friend is waiting for me. I am quoting him when I authorize you to report that there is ‘nothing doing.’ Good night.”
A wriggling line of waiting men extended from a door in Tenth street far up Broadway, on the outer edge of the pavement. The Captain and Murray fell in at the tail of the quivering millipede.
“Twenty feet longer than it was last night,” said Murray, looking up at his measuring angle of Grace Church.
“Half an hour,” growled the Captain, “before we get our punk.”
The city clocks began to strike 12; the Bread Line moved forward slowly, its leathern feet sliding on the stones with the sound of a hissing serpent, as they who had lived according to their lights closed up in the rear.
[188]
