CHAPTER II. OUT OF WORK.

 On Saturday Rupert received his last week's wages at the store.

 

"I am awfully¹ sorry you are going, Rupert," said Harry² Bacon. "It is a shame you are discharged."

 

"No, it is not a shame. It is only because business is dull that I have to go. I can't blame the firm."

 

Rupert ascended³ the stairway at his humble⁴ home in Elizabeth Street with a slow step. He felt that he could no longer conceal⁵ his discharge from his mother, and he knew what a blow it would be to her. So as he handed the money to Mrs. Rollins he said: "I have bad news for you, mother. I am discharged."

 

"Discharged!" repeated his mother, in dismay. "Why? What have you done?"

 

[Pg 12]

 

"There is no dissatisfaction with me. I am discharged because times are dull, and business has fallen off."

 

"I am glad at least that no fault is found with you, but what shall we do? Your salary was all we had to depend upon except the little I make by sewing."

 

"Don't be discouraged, mother. I shall start to find a place Monday morning. I am allowed to refer to the old firm."

 

"But—do you think there is any chance to get in elsewhere? Won't other firms be affected⁶ by the dull times?"

 

This was precisely⁷ what troubled Rupert, but he answered his mother cheerfully.

 

"To-morrow is Sunday," he said. "Don't let us think of the future till Monday morning. I am sure something will turn up. At the worst, I can earn something by selling papers."

 

When Monday morning came Rupert started out on his quest. He had been sent on errands to several houses in the same line, and he resolved to go from one to another in the hope of finding a vacancy⁸.

 

[Pg 13]

 

At the first he was pleasantly received. He was recognized as coming from Tenney & Rhodes, and it was supposed he came on an errand from them. When he asked for a place the superintendent⁹ looked distrustful.

 

"Why do you leave Tenney & Rhodes?" he was asked.

 

"Because the times are dull, and they are parting with some of their clerks."

 

"Will they recommend you?"

 

"Yes. Here is a recommendation," and Rupert took a folded paper from the envelope in which he had placed it.

 

"That is satisfactory," said the superintendent, his face clearing, "but the same dullness which has reduced their business affects ours. So far from taking on new clerks, we may have to discharge some of those at present in our employ."

 

Of course there was no more to be said. Rupert visited five other firms, but in each case the answer was the same. They had no vacancy, and did not expect to have any.

 

It was one o'clock, time for lunch, but Rupert did not feel hungry. His anxiety had[Pg 14] taken away his appetite. He rested for an hour on one of the benches in City Hall Park, and then started out again. He resolved now to apply for a position of any kind, since there seemed to be no opening in the business to which he had been trained.

 

But he met with no better success. Everywhere there were complaints of hard times.

 

"You are doing better than I am, my boy," said one business man bluntly.

 

Rupert looked about the large store in which he was standing¹⁰, and said: "I don't see how that can be, sir, I am making nothing."

 

"And I am making less than nothing. Last month I fell behind five hundred dollars."

 

"I am sorry to hear it, sir," said Rupert, in a tone of sympathy.

 

The merchant looked at him approvingly.

 

"You appear to be a good boy," he said. "I wish I had a place for you. I can send you on an errand, if that will be any object to you."

 

"Anything, sir, will be welcome."

 

[Pg 15]

 

"Then you may take a note from me to a firm in Astor Place. Wait five minutes and it will be ready."

 

Rupert took a seat, and in five minutes the merchant reappeared with a sealed note.

 

"This is the note," he said, "and here is a quarter for taking it."

 

"Thank you, sir."

 

The sum was not large, but Rupert was pleased to think that he would earn something.

 

"Well," said his mother, when at five o'clock he entered the room. "Have you found a place?"

 

"No, mother, places seem to be scarce. Still, I have earned something."

 

She looked at him inquiringly.

 

"It isn't much—only twenty-five cents. I received it for going on an errand."

 

"It is better than nothing."

 

"Yes, it will buy our supper."

 

Two days more passed. They were equally barren of results. It was nearing the end of the week, and except the silver quarter Rupert had earned nothing.

 

[Pg 16]

 

Things began to look serious. But little was left of his last week's wages, and the time was coming when they would be entirely¹¹ destitute¹². Rupert, as he passed through the business district, reflected sadly that while thousands were at work there seemed to be no place and no work for him. He was going down Chambers¹³ Street toward the Elevated station when he saw in front of him a young man, perhaps thirty years of age, whose unsteady movements seemed to indicate that he was under the influence of liquor. He came near falling as Rupert neared him.

 

"Can't I assist you?" asked Rupert, stepping to his side.

 

The young man glanced at the boy who addressed him with a look of inquiry¹⁴.

 

"Yes," he said. "Take my arm."

 

Rupert did so.

 

"Where do you wish to go?" he asked.

 

"I live in Harlem—at One-hundred-and-Seventeenth Street," replied the young man. "Have you a couple of hours to spare?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

[Pg 17]

 

"Then see me home. I will make it worth your while."

 

"I shall be glad to do so," said Rupert, cheerfully.

 

"I suppose you understand what is the matter with me?"

 

"I should think you had been drinking too much."

 

"You are right. I have. Shameful¹⁵, isn't it?"

 

"Well, it isn't altogether creditable," said Rupert, not wishing to hurt the other's feelings.

 

"I should say not. However, it isn't quite so bad as it seems. I haven't been drinking hard, only I am so constituted that I can drink but little without its affecting me."

 

They had now reached the stairway leading up to the Elevated road.

 

"Help me upstairs, boy. What is your name?"

 

"Rupert."

 

"Very well, Rupert."

 

When they reached the landing the young man took his purse from his pocket.

 

[Pg 18]

 

"Pay out of that," he said.

 

Rupert selected a dime¹⁶ and bought two tickets. Then they passed the box where the tickets were to be deposited, and entered a train which had just arrived. They took seats in one corner, and the young man sat down with an air of relief.

 

"I feel sleepy," he said. "If I should fall asleep, wake me up at One-hundred-and-Sixteenth Street Station."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

Rupert was able now to examine his companion a little more closely. He did not have a dissipated look, and Rupert judged that he was not in the habit of allowing himself to be overcome by liquor. Indeed, he had rather a refined look. It seemed to the boy a pity that he could not resist the temptation to drink.

 

As they were approaching One-hundred-and-Sixteenth Street Rupert aroused his companion, who opened his eyes in a bewildered way.

 

"Eh? What?" he asked.

 

"This is where we are to get out, sir."

 

[Pg 19]

 

"Oh, yes, I remember. Let me take your arm."

 

With this help he got down stairs, and they turned to the left.

 

"It is perhaps ten minutes' walk," said the young man. "You will see me all the way home?"

 

"Yes, sir. Do you feel any better?"

 

"I can walk a little more steadily¹⁷. You are sure I am not putting you out?"

 

"Oh, yes, sir. I have plenty of time on my hands, for I am out of work."

 

"Indeed! And are you poor?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Don't you live with your father?"

 

"My father is dead. I am helping¹⁸ to support my mother and sister."

 

"Why, that is too bad!" said the young man, in a tone of sympathy. "I am out of work, too, but then I am rich."

 

"I am not troubled in that way," said Rupert, smiling.

 

"I live with my mother. I am glad she is out of the city, so that she won't see me in my present condition."

 

[Pg 20]

 

"Don't you think of working, sir? I shouldn't think you would know how to pass the time."

 

"I only lately returned from Europe. I may go into business after awhile. To be sure I don't need to earn anything, but if I have some steady employment I shall be less likely to disgrace myself."

 

"May I ask your name, sir?"

 

"Certainly. My name is Frank Sylvester, I hope you are not a newspaper reporter."

 

"Oh, no, sir," said Rupert, smiling again.

 

"I should not like to have this little adventure of mine get into the papers. Do you see that house yonder?"

 

"Yes."

 

"It is the one where I live. If you have a little more time to spare won't you come in and stay a short time?"

 

"Yes, sir, if you desire it."

 

They reached the house and Sylvester rang the bell.

 

The door was opened by a maid servant about forty years of age. She looked at Sylvester's companion curiously¹⁹.

 

[Pg 21]

 

"A young friend of mine, Rachel," said the young man. "Get ready a little supper for us, will you? Some tea, cold meat and toast."

 

"All right, Mr. Frank."

 

They went into a pleasant sitting-room²⁰, where Rupert was invited to sit down.

 

"That was an old family servant," exclaimed Sylvester. "If you hadn't been with me she would have taken me to task, for she saw I had been drinking."

1 awfully   

adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地

参考例句：

• Agriculture was awfully neglected in the past.过去农业遭到严重忽视。
• I've been feeling awfully bad about it.对这我一直感到很难受。

2 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

3 ascended   

v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

5 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

8 vacancy   

n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺

参考例句：

• Her going on maternity leave will create a temporary vacancy.她休产假时将会有一个临时空缺。
• The vacancy of her expression made me doubt if she was listening.她茫然的神情让我怀疑她是否在听。

9 superintendent   

n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长

参考例句：

• He was soon promoted to the post of superintendent of Foreign Trade.他很快就被擢升为对外贸易总监。
• He decided to call the superintendent of the building.他决定给楼房管理员打电话。

10 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

11 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

12 destitute   

adj.缺乏的；穷困的

参考例句：

• They were destitute of necessaries of life.他们缺少生活必需品。
• They are destitute of common sense.他们缺乏常识。

13 chambers   

n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅

参考例句：

• The body will be removed into one of the cold storage chambers. 尸体将被移到一个冷冻间里。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Mr Chambers's readable book concentrates on the middle passage: the time Ransome spent in Russia. Chambers先生的这本值得一看的书重点在中间：Ransome在俄国的那几年。 来自互联网

14 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

15 shameful   

adj.可耻的，不道德的

参考例句：

• It is very shameful of him to show off.他向人炫耀自己，真不害臊。
• We must expose this shameful activity to the newspapers.我们一定要向报社揭露这一无耻行径。

16 dime   

n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角

参考例句：

• A dime is a tenth of a dollar.一角银币是十分之一美元。
• The liberty torch is on the back of the dime.自由火炬在一角硬币的反面。

17 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

18 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

19 curiously   

adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地

参考例句：

• He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
• He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。

20 sitting-room   

n.（BrE）客厅，起居室

参考例句：

• The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
• Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。