“Yes; all my customers do.”

“I⁠—I haven’t much money,” Jurgis began, in an agony of dread. “I’ve been in⁠—in trouble⁠—and my money is gone. But I’ll pay you⁠—every cent⁠—just as soon as I can; I can work⁠—”

“Vot is your work?”

“I have no place now. I must get one. But I⁠—”

“How much haf you got now?”

He could hardly bring himself to reply. When he said “A dollar and a quarter,” the woman laughed in his face.

“I vould not put on my hat for a dollar und a quarter,” she said.

“It’s all I’ve got,” he pleaded, his voice breaking. “I must get someone⁠—my wife will die. I can’t help it⁠—I⁠—”