The hitchhiker describes himself as a fingersmith, which is a euphemism for "pickpocket." The hitchhiker doesn't like to call himself a pickpocket as it's a word he associates with coarse and vulgar people who steal money from blind old ladies. As he explains, "fingersmith" is similar to "goldsmith" or "silversmith." It implies the possession of a certain skill or expertise, and the hitchhiker regards himself as a skilled professional.
The hitchhiker proves his remarkable skills by successfully relieving the narrator of several items without his knowing it. But he doesn't keep those items; he returns them to their rightful owner. As the hitchhiker explains he only steals from those who can afford it, such as rich people and winning punters at the race track.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Why won't the hitchhiker steal anything from the narrator?
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