In his tramps he
visited scores of workshops and factories, but without success.
Either they did not want boys, or they declined altogether to take
one who had no experience in work, and had no references in the
neighborhood. Frank took his breakfast and tea with the porter,
and was glad that the latter had his dinner at the station, as a
penny loaf served his purposes. One day in his walks Frank entered
Covent Garden and stood looking on at the bustle and flow of
business, for it happened to be market day. He leaned against one
of the columns of the piazza, eating the bread he had just bought.
Presently a sharp faced lad, a year or two younger than himself,
came up to him.
"Give us a hit," he said, "I ain't tasted nothing today."
Frank broke the bread in half and gave a portion to him.
"What a lot there is going on here!" Frank said.
"Law!" the boy answered, "that ain't nothing to what it is of a
morning. That's the time, 'special on the mornings of the flower
market. It's hard lines if a chap can't pick up a tanner or even
a bob then."
"How?" Frank asked eagerly.
"Why, by holding horses, helping to carry out plants, and such like.
You seems a green 'un, you do.
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