noon
They neglected their own work to make it known among their acquaintances that he was under their immediate care , and that they should resent to the utmost of their power any effort to drive him from his task . They also kept a strict watch over him , and whenever they saw signs of discouragement upon his face , which they did many times , they encouraged him by kind words and advice to continue in his labors , holding before him the hope of meeting his parents once more as the reward of his exertions . Never once did the thought come to them that by keeping him within their world they were most effectually hiding him from his parents ; and since they were doing their best to aid him , even if it was the worst thing they could do , they were none the less friends to him in the truest sense of the word . That noon , in order to cheer the sorrowful boy as much as possible , they resolved on having such a feast as they allowed themselves only on extra occasions , and that was to go to a cheap restaurant , where a whole dinner -LRB- such as it was -RRB- could be bought for fifteen cents . To them it was a rare treat ; but , greatly to their disappointment , Paul did not enjoy it as they had expected he would . The afternoon papers were purchased , and even though their new friend was so wholly unacquainted with the business , and they were obliged to spend so much of their time in defending him from the assaults of the more evil disposed of their calling , trade was more than ordinarily good . The reckless expenditure of forty-five cents for dinner was made up , and when the day 's work was over they had a clear profit of forty-three cents ; which , to say the least , encouraged them in their good work .