But Phil knew that he must go out into the streets and then Pietro might waylay him when he had no protector at hand.

He explained his difficulty to Mrs.McGuire, and she proposed that he should remain close at hand all the forenoon; near enough to fly to the house as a refuge, if needful.

If Pietro did not appear in that time, he probably would not at all.
Phil agreed to this plan, and accordingly began to play and sing in the neighborhood, keeping a watchful lookout for the enemy.

His earnings were small, for the neighborhood was poor.

Still, he picked up a few pennies, and his store was increased by a twenty-five cent gift from a passing gentleman.