chest swelled
Hi!
What does "chest swelled" mean and what other expression could be used instead?
"‘I’ll write down the forms you need,’ he said. ‘You can get them at the post office, and I’ll fill them out for your signature.’
That sounded suitably important, and Hadley’s chest swelled."
(from Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King from his 1982 collection Different Season)
Thank you!