Alf, sitting behind his wheel at Mr. Trupp's door, was one of the first to note his brother hanging about the street-corner.
He reported the fact to his mother.
"He's back on us," he said briefly.
"Who is?"
"Ernie." He laughed bitterly as he chewed his cigarette. "Lost his job again and turned corner-boy. Takes his stand opposite the Star so everybody may know he's my brother."
Mrs. Caspar banged the pans upon the range.
"Why's he lost his job?" violently.
Alf lifted his hand to his mouth.
His mother eyed him, and Alf felt criticism in her stare.
"I see Joe Conklin, the head-porter at the Hotel," he said. "They give him one or two chances. But it was all no good. Never is with that sort."