There were five men altogether; three of them were standing in a group, the other two stood each by himself, being apparently strangers to each other and the first three.

The three men who stood together were nearest to Hunter and as the latter approached, one of them advanced to meet him.
'Good afternoon, sir.' Hunter replied by an inarticulate grunt, without stopping; the man followed.
'Any chance of a job, sir ?' 'Full up,' replied Hunter, still without stopping.

The man still followed, like a beggar soliciting charity.
'Be any use calling in a day or so, sir ?' 'Don't think so,' Hunter replied.

'Can if you like; but we're full up.' 'Thank you, sir,' said the man, and turned back to his friends.
By this time Hunter was within a few yards of one of the other two men, who also came to speak to him.

This man felt there was no hope of getting a job; still, there was no harm in asking.