The only steady source of income, for I do not know what years, was my brother's earnings from his newspapers.
Surely this was the time for me to take my sister's place in the workshop.

I had had every fair chance until now: school, my time to myself, liberty to run and play and make friends.

I had graduated from grammar school; I was of legal age to go to work.

What was I doing, sitting at home and dreaming?
I was minding my business, of course; with all my might I was minding my business.

As I understood it, my business was to go to school, to learn everything there was to know, to write poetry, become famous, and make the family rich.