He lingers about aimlessly, and presently the
great tide turns outwards and flows towards the suburbs. Every
vehicle which passes him is crowded with happy folk who have earned
their living and are going home. He has earned nothing. Let anybody
who wants to test the strength of the stalk of carle hemp in him try
it by the wringing strain of a day thus spent! How humiliating are
the repulses he encounters! Most employers to whom a request is made
for something to do prefer to treat it as a petition for aims, and
answer accordingly. They understand what is wanted before a word is
spoken, and bawl out "No! Shut the door after you." One man to whom
Zachariah applied was opening his letters. For a moment he did not
pay the slightest attention, but as Zachariah continued waiting, he
shouted with an oath, "What do you stand staring there for? Be off!"
There was once a time when Zachariah would have stood up against the
wretch; but he could not do it now, and he retreated in silence.
Nevertheless, when he got out into the Street he felt as if he could
have rushed back and gripped the brute's throat till he had squeezed
the soul out of his carcass.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138