But like his humbler rival, Mordecai had no use for the many-sided Moses; he was "full up" with swarthy "hands," though, as there were rumors of strikes in the air, he prudently took note of Moses's address.
After this rebuff, Moses shuffled hopelessly about for more than an hour; the dinner-hour was getting desperately near; already children passed him, carrying the Sunday dinners from the bakeries, and there were wafts of vague poetry in the atmosphere.

Moses felt he could not face his own children.
At last he nerved himself to an audacious resolution, and elbowed his way blusterously towards the Ruins, lest he might break down if his courage had time to cool.
"The Ruins" was a great stony square, partly bordered by houses, and only picturesque on Sundays when it became a branch of the all-ramifying Fair.

Moses could have bought anything there from elastic braces to green parrots in gilt cages.

That is to say if he had had money.

At present he had nothing in his pocket except holes.
What he might be able to do on his way back was another matter; for it was Malka that Moses Ansell was going to see.