That very afternoon, he called on several neighbors, offering to wash windows or the family car. In each instance, he was politely but firmly turned down.
Rather discouraged, Dan then appealed to his mother.
“Maybe I can think up some job if you give me a little time,” she said to encourage him. “Off hand I can’t think of a thing. Usually, you’re two or three jobs ahead of me.”
When Dan went to the drugstore at six o’clock to get a newspaper for his father, he met Fred.
“How you coming on earning money?” the boy asked him.
“No luck yet,” Dan admitted. “Jobs seem to be mighty scarce.”
“I ran an errand and picked up a quarter,” Fred told him. “But that’s all I’ve been able to earn so far. Red and Chips are having a tough time too.”
“Webster City must suddenly have been hit by a depression, Fred. I wonder how the Den 1 boys are getting their costumes?”
“Dad told me they’re earning their money too.”
“Well, I hope they have better luck than we’re having.”