He said to himself, "I'm troubled about him.

He never would have made a break like that if he hadn't been a little off his balance.
But I know what being out of work and no prospect ahead can do for a man.
First it knocks the pluck out of him and drags his pride in the dirt; worry does the rest, and his mind gets shaky.

I must talk to these people.

No--if there's any humanity in them--and there is, at bottom-- they'll be easier on him if they think his troubles have disturbed his reason.

But I've got to find him some work; work's the only medicine for his disease.