“That is very kind indeed!” exclaimed Holt.
“As to my lending you half-a-crown,” continued Mr Tooke, “that would not be helping you out of debt; for if you had had any prospect of being able to pay half-a-crown, you would not have needed to apply to me at all.”
Holt sighed. Mr Tooke went on.
“I cannot give you the money. I have less to give away than I should like to have, for the sake of the poor people round us. I cannot pay for a bet and school-fines while the children of our neighbours want clothes and fire.”
“No, sir, certainly,” said both the boys.
“What do people do, all the world over, when they want money?” asked Mr Tooke. Holt looked puzzled. Hugh smiled. Holt was hesitating whether to guess that they put into the lottery, or dig for treasure, or borrow from their friends, or what. Having always till lately lived in India, where Europeans are rather lazy, and life altogether is very languid, he did not see, as Hugh did, what Mr Tooke could mean.
“When men come begging to our doors,” said Mr Tooke, “what is the first question we ask them?”
Holt still looked puzzled, and Hugh laughed, saying,—
“Why, Holt, you must know very well. We ask them whether they cannot get work.”
“Work!” cried Holt.