If you have no money, you can't play.

Well, I suppose I must be seeing after my customers," said he, glancing over the plain.
"Good day," said I.
"Good day," said the man slowly, but without moving, and as if in reflection.

After a moment or two, looking at me inquiringly, he added, "Out of employ ?" "Yes," said I, "out of employ." The man measured me with his eye as I lay on the ground.

At length he said, "May I speak a word or two to you, my lord ?" "As many as you please," said I.
"Then just come a little out of hearing, a little farther on the grass, if you please, my lord." "Why do you call me my lord ?" said I, as I arose and followed him.
"We of the thimble always calls our customers lords," said the man; "but I won't call you such a foolish name any more; come along." The man walked along the plain till he came to the side of a dry pit, when, looking round to see that no one was nigh, he laid his table on the grass, and, sitting down with his legs over the side of the pit, he motioned me to do the same.

"So you are in want of employ," said he, after I had sat down beside him.
"Yes," said I, "I am very much in want of employ." "I think I can find you some." "What kind ?" said I.
"Why," said the man, "I think you would do to be my bonnet." "Bonnet!" said I, "what is that ?" "Don't you know?
However, no wonder, as you had never heard of the thimble-and-pea game, but I will tell you.