“Like ta getta da skin.  No good now though,” replied Luigi.  “You gotta da rent money, Nucky?”

“Got nuttin’,” Nucky’s voice was bitter.  “That brown Liz you let in last night beats the devil shakin’ dice.”

“We owe three mont’ now, Nucky,” said the Italian.

“Yes, and how much trade have I pulled into your blank blank second floor for you durin’ the time, you blank blank!  If I hear any more about the rent, I’ll split on you, you—­”

But before Nucky could continue his cursing, the Italian broke in with a volubility of oaths that reduced the boy to sullen silence.  Having eased his mind, Luigi proceeded to drag the sack into the basement and slammed the door.

“Nucky!  Nucky!  He’s onlucky!” sang one of the small girls on the crumbling steps.

“You dry up, you little alley cat!” roared the boy.

“You’re just a bastard!” screamed the child, while her playmates took up the cry.

Nucky lighted a fresh cigarette and moved hurriedly up toward MacDougal Street.  Once having turned the corner, he slackened his gait and climbed into an empty chair in the bootblack stand that stood in front of the Cafe Roma.  The bootblack had not finished the first shoe when a policeman hoisted himself into the other chair.

“How are you, Nucky?” he grunted.

“All right, thanks,” replied the boy, an uneasy look softening his cold eyes for the moment.

“Didn’t keep the job I got you, long,” the officer said.  “What was the rip this time?”

“Aw, I ain’t goin’ to hold down ho five-dollar-a-week job.  What do you think I am?”

“I think you are a fool headed straight for the devil,” answered the officer succinctly.  “Now listen to me, Nucky.  I’ve knowed you ever since you started into the school over there.  I mind how the teacher told me she was glad to see one brat that looked like an old-fashioned American.  And everything the teachers and us guys at the police station could do to keep you headed right, we’ve done.  But you just won’t have it.  You’ve growed up with just the same ideas the young toughs have ‘round here.  All you know about earnin’ money is by gambling.”  Nucky stirred, but the officer put out his hand.

“Hold on now, fer I’m servin’ notice on you.  You’ve turned down every job we got you.  You want to keep on doing Luigi’s dirty work for him.  Very well!  Go to it!  And the next time we get the goods on you, you’ll get the limit.  So watch yourself!”

“Everybody’s against a guy!” muttered the boy,

“Everybody’s against a fool that had rather be crooked than straight,” returned the officer.

Nucky, his face sullen, descended from the chair, paid the boy and headed up MacDougal Street toward the Square.

A tall, dark woman, dressed in black entered the Square as Nucky crossed from Fourth Street.  Nucky overtook her.

“Are you comin’ round to-night, Liz?” he asked.