f "five dollars until Thursday--I'm a
little pressed." Soon it became impossible for him to get more than a
dollar at a time even from the women, except an occasional windfall
through a weak or ignorant new acquaintance. He clung tenaciously to
the fifty-cent basis--to go lower would cheapen him. But for the last
two weeks his regular levies had been of twenty-five cents, with not a
few descents to ten and even five cents.

He reached Goerwitz's at ten o'clock and promenaded slowly through both
rooms twice. Just as he was leaving he espied an acquaintance who was
looking fiercely away from him as if saying: "I don't see you, and,
damn you, don't you dare see me!" But Feuerstein advanced boldly.
Twelve years of active membership in that band of "beats" which patrols
every highway and byway and private way of civilization had thickened
and toughened his skin into a hide. "Good evening, Albers," he said
cordially, with a wave of the soft, light hat. "I see you have a
vacant place in your little circle. Thank you!" He assumed that
Albers had invited him, took a chair from another table and seated
himself. Social courage is one of the rarest forms of courage. Albers
grew red but did not dare insult such a fine-looking fellow who seemed
so hearty and friendly. He surlily introduced Feuerstein to his
friends--two women and two men. Feuerstein ordered a round of beer
with the air of a prince and without the slightest intention of paying
for it.

The young woman of the party was seated next to him. Even before he
sat he recognized her as the daughter of Ganser, a rich brewer of the
upper East Side. He had placed himself deliberately beside her, and he
at once began advances. She showed at a glance that she was a silly,
vain girl. Her face was fat and dull; she had thin, stringy hair. She
was flabby and, in the lazy life to which the Gansers' wealth and the
silly customs of prosperous people condemned her, was already beginning
to expand in the places where she could least afford it.

He made amorous eyes at her. He laughed enthusiastically at her
foolish speeches. He addressed his pompous platitudes exclusively to
her. Within an hour he pressed her hand under the table and sighed
dramatically. When she looked at him he started and rolled his great
eyes dreamily away. Never before had she received attentions that were
not of the frankest and crudest practical nature. She was all in a
flutter at having th