attract attention and become a skilled man or a boss, as
some had done in this place. Suppose that Marija could
get a job in the big mill where they made binder-twine --
then they would move into this neighborhood, and he
would really have a chance. With a hope like that,
there was some use in living; to find a place where you
were treated like a human being -- by God! he would
show them how he could appreciate it. He laughed to
himself as he thought how he would hang on to this
job!

And then one afternoon, the ninth of his work in the
place, when he went to get his overcoat he saw a group
of men crowded before a placard on the door, and when
he went over and asked what it was, they told him that
beginning with the morrow his department of the harvester
works would be closed until further notice!

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