Why is Jurgis, who has just come out of the hospital, is desperately sick-looking with a helpless arm and no overcoat, an unsuccessful beggar?

For another ten days he roamed the streets and alleys of the huge city, sick and hungry, begging for any work. He tried in stores and offices, in restaurants and hotels, along the docks and in the railroad yards, in warehouses and mills and factories where they made products that went to every corner of the world. There were often one or two chances-but there were always a hundred men for every chance, and his turn would not come.