A beginning must be made, however disagreeable. So Mark went up to a young man who was passing along on his way to the boat, and in a shamefaced manner said, "Will you give me a few pennies, please?"
The young man looked good-natured, and it was that which gave Mark confidence to address him.
"You want some pennies, do you?" he said, with a smile, pausing in his walk.
"If you please, sir."
"I suppose your wife and family are starving, eh?"
"I haven't got any wife or family, sir," said Mark.
"But you've got a sick mother, or some brothers or sisters that are starving, haven't you?"
"No, sir."
"Then I'm afraid you're not up to your business. How long have you been round begging?"