Was I looking for work?
No, quite the contrary; in fact, I had come to see Johnny Upright on business which might be profitable to him.
A change came over the face of things at once.

The gentleman in question was at church, but would be home in an hour or thereabouts, when no doubt he could be seen.
Would I kindly step in ?--no, the lady did not ask me, though I fished for an invitation by stating that I would go down to the corner and wait in a public-house.

And down to the corner I went, but, it being church time, the "pub" was closed.

A miserable drizzle was falling, and, in lieu of better, I took a seat on a neighbourly doorstep and waited.
And here to the doorstep came the "slavey," very frowzy and very perplexed, to tell me that the missus would let me come back and wait in the kitchen.
"So many people come 'ere lookin' for work," Mrs.Johnny Upright apologetically explained.

"So I 'ope you won't feel bad the way I spoke." "Not at all, not at all," I replied in my grandest manner, for the nonce investing my rags with dignity.