Here a customer came in and asked for a bottle of cough medicine, and the druggist turned away to fill the order. Jed walked slowly out of the store.
"I wonder whether there is any work for me anywhere?" he asked himself despondently.
Jed continued his walk down Broadway. It was a bright, clear, exhilarating day, and Jed would have enjoyed it thoroughly if he had been better fixed, but it is hard to keep up the spirits when your pocket is empty.
When Jed reached City Hall Park he went in and sat down on one of the benches.
One of the boy bootblacks who carry on business in the park came up to him with his box on his shoulder and asked, "Shine your boots?"
Jed shook his head.
"Not this morning," he replied.
"They need it," said the boy.
Jed looked at his boots, and was fain to admit that the boy was right. But he was not possessed of the necessary nickel.