o'clock we'll go off together. The mates have all been very kind,
and have been making a collection to bury my poor girl and the kids.
They've found 'em, and the inquest is tomorrow, so I shall be off
work. The governor has offered me a week; but there, I'd rather be
here where there's no time for thinking, than hanging about with
nothing to do but to drink."



CHAPTER VI: THE FIRST STEP


All that day Frank tramped the streets. He went into many shops
where he saw notices that an errand boy was required, but everywhere
without success. He perceived at once that his appearance was
against him, and he either received the abrupt answer of, "You're
not the sort of chap for my place," or an equally decided refusal
upon the grounds that he did not know the neighborhood, or that
they preferred one who had parents who lived close by and could
speak for him.

At six o'clock he rejoined the porter. He brought with him some
bread and butter and a piece of bacon. When, on arriving at the
lodging of his new friend, a neat room with two small beds in it,
he produced and opened his parcel, the porter said angrily, "Don't
you do that again, young fellow, or we shall have words. You're
just coming to stop with me for a bit till you see your way, and
I'm not going to have you bring things in here. My money is good
for two months, and your living here with me won't cost three
shillings a week. So don't you hurt my feelings by bringing things