The days drifted by, and they grew ever more dreary.

For Barrow's efforts to find work for Tracy were unavailing.

Always the first question asked was, "What Union do you belong to ?" Tracy was obliged to reply that he didn't belong to any trade-union.
"Very well, then, it's impossible to employ you.

My men wouldn't stay with me if I should employ a 'scab,' or 'rat,'" or whatever the phrase was.
Finally, Tracy had a happy thought.

He said, "Why the thing for me to do, of course, is to join a trade-union." "Yes," Barrow said, "that is the thing for you to do--if you can." "If I can?
Is it difficult ?" "Well, Yes," Barrow said, "it's sometimes difficult--in fact, very difficult.