312 Hans Brinker

XL
LOOKING FOR WORK

UXURIES unfit us for returning to hardships easily en-

dured before. The wooden runners squeaked more

than ever. It was as much as Hans could do to get on with

the clumsy old things; still he did not regret that he had parted

with his beautiful skates, but resolutely pushed back the boyish

trouble that he had not been able to keep them just a little
longer, at least, until after the race.

‘© Mother surely will not be angry with me,” he thought,
“ for selling them without her leave. She has had care enough
already. It will be full time to speak of it when I take home
the money.”

Hans went up and down the streets of Amsterdam that day,
looking for work. He succeeded in earning a few stivers by
assisting a man who was driving a train of loaded mules into
the city ; but he could not secure steady employment anywhere.
He would have been glad to obtain a situation as porter or
errand-boy ; but though he passed, on his. way, many a loiter-
ing, shuffling urchin, laden with bundles, there was no place
for him. Some shopkeepers had just supplied themselves ;
others needed a trimmer, more lightly-built fellow (they meant
better dressed, but did not choose to say so); others told him
to call again in a month or two, when the canals would prob-
ably be broken up; and many shook their heads at him with-
out saying a word.