The more I thought of it, the more I laughed.

What a whimsical world it was! And was there anything in it so grotesque as my part?
I took the check from my pocket and cracked it between my fingers.

A cigar was in my mouth.

Should I light it with the check?
It was for $1,000.

After all, it was more than I had ever before held in my hand at once.