But no one came to scourge him forth, for this was the temple of
Bigness, and the changing of money was holy worship and true religion.
The priests wore that "settish" look Bibbs's mother had seen beginning
to develop about his mouth and eyes--a wary look which she could not
define, but it comes with service at the temple; and it was the more
marked upon Bibbs for his sharp awakening to the necessities of that
service.
He did as little "useless" thinking as possible, giving himself no
time for it. He worked continuously, keeping his thoughts still on
his work when he came home at night; and he talked of nothing whatever
except his work. But he did not sing at it. He was often in the
streets, and people were not allowed to sing in the streets. They
might make any manner of hideous uproar--they could shake buildings;
they could out-thunder the thunder, deafen the deaf, and kill the
sick with noise; or they could walk the streets or drive through them
bawling, squawking, or screeching, as they chose, if the noise was
traceably connected with business; though street musicians were not
tolerated, being considered a nuisance and an interference.
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