But I must confess that a sick feeling came over me when I thought of begging.
Hurrying along the crowded streets without knowing very well what I meant to do, I at last came to an abrupt halt at the end of the pier.
Here I went up to several people and offered my services in a wild sort of way.

They must have thought that I was drunk, for nearly all of them said gruffly that they did not want me.
Dinner-time drew near, but no one had given me a job, and no wonder, for the way in which I tried to get one was not likely to be successful.

At last I resolved to beg.

Observing a fat, red-faced old gentleman coming along the pier, I made up to him boldly.

He carried a cane with a large gold knob on the top of it.