И проиграли бой

           Hereyesnarrowedwisely."Youain’tintrouble?Icouldmaybehelpyou."

           "No,"Jimsaid."Nobody’safterme.I’mjusttakinganewjob.Well,goodnight,Mrs.Meer."

           Sheheldoutapowderedhand.Jimshiftedhispaperbagandtookherhandforamoment,andfeltthesoftfleshgiveunderhisfingers.

           "Don’tforget,"shesaid."Icanalwaysfindroom.Peoplecomebacktomeyearafteryear,sailorsanddrummers."

           "I’llremember.Goodnight."

           Shelookedafterhimuntilhewasoutthefrontdooranddownthecementstepstothesidewalk.

           Hewalkedtothecornerandlookedattheclockinajeweller’swindow—seven-thirty.Hesetoutwalkingrapidlyeastward,throughadistrictofdepartmentstoresandspecialtyshops,andthenthroughthewholesaleproducedistrict,quietnowintheevening,thenarrowstreetsdeserted,thedepotentrancesclosedwithwoodenbarsandwirenetting.Hecameatlasttoanoldstreetofthree-storeybrickbuildings.Pawn-shopsandsecond-handtooldealersoccupiedthegroundfloors,whilefailingdentistsandlawyershadofficesintheuppertwoflights.Jimlookedateachdoorwayuntilhefoundthenumberhewanted.Hewentinadarkentranceandclimbedthenarrowstairs,rubber-treaded,theedgesguardedwithstripsofbrass.Alittlenightlightburnedattheheadofthesteps,butonlyonedoorinthelonghallshowedalightthroughitsfrostedglass.Jimwalkedtoit,lookedatthe"Sixteen"ontheglass,andknocked.