"I'm hard up myself." "You don't look like it," said Luke, glancing at his rather flashy attire.
"These clothes are not paid for," said the stranger, laughing; "and what's more, I don't think they are likely to be.

But, I take it, you gentlemen are better off than I in one respect.

You've got situations--something to do." "Yes, but on starvation pay," said Clapp.

"I'm in the office of the 'Centreville Gazette.'" "And I'm in a shoemaker's shop.

It's a beastly business for a young man of spirit," said Luke.
"Well, I'm a gentleman at large, living on my wits, and pretty poor living it is sometimes," said the stranger.