"I must do something," he said to himself, "if it's only selling papers. That will be better than blacking boots, though that is an honest business."
To make matters worse, his mother was unable to procure vests to make from any of the readymade clothing establishments.
"We've got all the hands we need," was the invariable answer to her applications.
They tried to economize more closely, but there was small chance for that. They had not eaten meat for three days, and remained contented with bread and tea, leaving out sugar, for they felt that this was a superfluity in their circumstances. It was emphatically a dull time, and there seemed no chance to earn anything.
"Rupert," said his mother, drawing a ring from her finger, "take this ring and pawn it. There seems no other way."
"Isn't it your wedding ring, mother?"
"Yes, Rupert, but I cannot afford to keep it while we are so poor."
Rupert took the ring, and bent his steps towards Simpson's, for he felt that there he would be likely to meet fair treatment.