"Every one can get work if he likes, and if he tries."
Grif looked dubious. His knowledge of the world was superior to hers. He had battled with it and fought with it since he was a baby. "She don't know what a bad lot we are," he thought. But he was sincerely desirous to please her.
"What do you want me to do, Ally?"
"I want you to give me a promise to be honest, Grif," she said, earnestly.
"I'll do it," he replied, without a moment's hesitation. And then he added seriously, for he felt he was undertaking a great responsibility, "I'll be honest, Ally, whatever comes of it."
"And if ever you want anything to eat and can't earn it, Grif, you will come to me."
"Yes, I'll come to you, Ally," he said, almost crying, for he knew how poor she was.
"Suppose now, to-morrow morning you go into all the shops and ask if they want an errand boy. That does not require any learning, Grif."
"No, I could do that all right; I can run fast, too. But you'll see, Ally; it'll be no go."
"You'll try, Grif, will you not?"