would be put away where his existence could be concealed.
To be put where he could be concealed implied possibly an institution of some sort. It implied certainly a regulation of his life by others. Incidentally, but importantly, it implied being put to bed at a stated hour. He was conscious that it might imply much more unpleasant things than that. Peewee assured himself that he was not afraid of his father. He resented his existence, but he was confident of avoiding him by his wits.
In the late afternoon of the fourth day after his visit to the State Street house he stood in Wabash Avenue near Washington Street, observing with a speculative eye a flower stand conducted by an Italian. As the search which his father must have instituted for him would be for a newsboy, he had not dared to sell any newspapers. The omission had unpleasant consequences. He perceived that if he did not sell something he soon would not be able to eat.
The only business he knew of, besides the selling of newspapers, which could be engaged
