And the capstone of humiliation seemed to be when Edward and his brother, after having for several mornings found no kindling wood or coal to build the fire, decided to go out of evenings with a basket and pick up what wood they could find in neighboring lots, and the bits of coal spilled from the coal-bin of the grocery-store, or left on the curbs before houses where coal had been delivered.

The mother remonstrated with the boys, although in her heart she knew that the necessity was upon them.

But Edward had been started upon his Americanization career, and answered; "This is America, where one can do anything if it is honest.

So long as we don't steal the wood or coal, why shouldn't we get it ?" And, turning away, the saddened mother said nothing.
But while the doing of these homely chores was very effective in relieving the untrained and tired mother, it added little to the family income.

Edward looked about and decided that the time had come for him, young as he was, to begin some sort of wage-earning.