They could separate and spend the day in the search, and return to their lodging-house after dark, both having fixed the location in their minds, and there being little excuse for losing their way, even in such a vast city.
Breakfast was eaten early, and the friends separated, not expecting to see each other till dusk again.

Both were in high spirits, for in the clear sunshine of the winter's morning the world looked bright and radiant to them.

The hurry and rush of Broadway, the crowds constantly surging forward, each one seemingly intent on his own business, the constant roll and rumble of trade,--all so different from the more sedate city they had left behind.
All these were so new and novel to the lads, threading their way through the great metropolis, that they forgot their real business for a time, and feasted their eyes and ears for hours.
Finally, they roused themselves and went to work.

The experience of the two, for a time at least, was very similar.

Tom first stopped in a dry-goods house, and asked whether they could give him anything to do.