He saw an automobile with a FOR HIRE sign on it, held brief conversation with the driver, and was presently leaning back on the cushions watching luckless pedestrians dodge out of the way.

The sight, I may add, restored his good humor to the point of forgetting his dignity and crawling over into the front seat where he proceeded to scrape acquaintance with the driver.

Los Angeles was a great place, all right--when you can see it from the front seat of an automobile.
Johnny began to talk automobiles to the man and managed to extract a good deal of information, that may or may not have been authentic, concerning the various "makes" and their prices and speed.

Not that he intended to buy one; but still, with good luck, there was no reason why he should not, when he had that note paid.

A car certainly did give class to a man--and according to this fellow it would be a real economy to own one.