"So many people come ere lookin for work,"
Mrs. Johnny Upright apologetically explained. "So
I ope you won t feel bad the way I spoke."

"Not at all, not at all," I replied, in my grandest
manner, for the nonce investing my rags with dig
nity. " I quite understand, I assure you. I suppose
people looking for work almost worry you to death?"

"That they do," she answered, with an eloquent
and expressive glance; and thereupon ushered me
into, not the kitchen, but the dining room a favor,
I took it, in recompense for my grand manner.

This dining room, on the same floor as the
kitchen, was about four feet below the level of the
ground, and so dark (it was midday) that I had to
wait a space for my eyes to adjust themselves to
the gloom. Dirty light filtered in through a window,
the top of which was on a level with the sidewalk,
and in this light I found that I was able to read
newspaper print.

And here, while waiting the coming of Johnny
Upright, let me explain my errand. While living,
eating, and sleeping with the people of the East
End, it was my intention to have a port of refuge,
not too far distant, into which I could run now
and again to assure myself that good clothes and
cleanliness still existed. Also in such port I could
receive my mail, work up my notes, and sally forth
occasionally in changed garb to civilization.

[[19]]

p018 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p019w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p020

v?