"I am very old." "It is worth all the trouble to have met you," said I.

"You should have made the jolt very easy." So we shook hands, and he gave me a cigar, around which was wrapped the check.

He winked.

Then he laughed, and I joined him, though my laughter resembled mirth less than it did the cackle of a hen which was disturbed over the future of her brood.
I left him and went down into the wine room and ordered a stiff brandy and soda.

When that disappeared I ordered another.