Chapter III

In his capacity as delicatessen vender, Jokubas Szed~
vilas had many acquaintances. Among these was one of
the special policemen employed by Durham, whose duty
it frequently was to pick out men for employment. Joku~
bas had never tried it, but he expressed a certainty that
he could get some of his friends a job through this man.
It was agreed, after consultation, that he should make the
effort with old Antanas and with Jonas. Jurgis was con~
fident of his ability to get work for himself, unassisted by
any one.

As we have said before, he was not mistaken in this.
He had gone to Brown's and stood there not more than
half an hour before one of the bosses noticed his form
towering above the rest, and signaled to him. The col~
loquy which followed was brief and to the point:--

"Speak English?"

"No; Lit-uanian." (Jurgis had studied this word
carefully.)

"Job?"

"Je." (A nod.)

"Worked here before?"

"No 'stand."

(Signals and gesticulations on the part of the boss.
Vigorous shakes of the head by Jurgis.)

"Shovel guts?"

"No 'stand." (More shakes of the head.)

"Zarnos. Pagaiksztis. Szluota!" (Imitative motions.)

"Je."

"See door. Durys?" (Pointing.)

"Je."

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