"Discharged!" repeated his mother, in dismay. "Why? What have you done?" "There is no dissatisfaction with me. I am discharged because times are dull, and business has fallen off." "I am glad at least that no fault is found with you, but what shall we do? Your salary was all we had to depend upon except the little I make by sewing." "Don't be discouraged, mother. I shall start to find a place Monday morning. I am allowed to refer to the old firm." "But--do you think there is any chance to get in elsewhere? Won't other firms be affected by the dull times?" This was precisely what troubled Rupert, but he answered his mother cheerfully. "To-morrow is Sunday," he said. "Don't let us think of the future till Monday morning. I am sure something will turn up. At the worst, I can earn something by selling papers." When Monday morning came Rupert started out on his quest. He had been sent on errands to several houses in the same line, and he resolved to go from one to another in the hope of finding a vacancy. At the first he was pleasantly received. He was recognized as coming from Tenney & Rhodes, and it was supposed he came on an errand from them. When he asked for a place the superintendent looked distrustful. "Why do you leave Tenney & Rhodes?" he was asked. "Because the times are dull, and they are parting with some of their clerks." "Will they recommend you?" "Yes. Here is a recommendation," and Rupert took a folded paper from the envelope in which he had placed it. "That is satisfactory," said the superintendent, his face clearing, "but the same dullness which has reduced their business affects ours. So far from taking on new clerks, we may have to discharge some of those at present in our employ." Of course there was no more to be said. Rupert visited five other firms, but in each case the answer was the same. They had no vacancy, and did not expect to have any. It was one o'clock, time for lunch, but Rupert did not feel hungry. His anxiety had taken away his appetite. He rested for an hour on one of the benches in City Hall Park, and then started out again. He resolved now to apply for a position of any kind, since there seemed to be no opening in the business to which he had been trained. But he met with no better success. Everywhere there were complaints of hard times. "You are doing better than I am, my boy," said one business man bluntly. Rupert looked about the large store in which he was standing, and said: "I don't see how that can be, sir, I am making nothing." "And I am making less than nothing. Last month I fell behind five hundred dollars." "I am sorry to hear it, sir," said Rupert, in a tone of sympathy. The merchant looked at him approvingly. "You appear to be a good boy," he said. "I wish I had a place for you. I can send you on an errand, if that will be any object to you." "Anything, sir, will be welcome."