Ragged Dick: Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks
by Horatio Alger

Ragged Dick: Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks: Hyperbole 1 key example

Definition of Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations intended to emphasize a point... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements... read full definition
Chapter 17: Dick’s First Appearance in Society
Explanation and Analysis—Mr. Greyson's Wealth:

Dick considers Mr. Greyson, the first patron figure he encounters in the novel, to be an immensely wealthy man. When the businessman invites him to Sunday lunch, Dick uses hyperbole to express Mr. Greyson's wealth and the honor of the invitation: 

Dick was as much astonished at this invitation as if he had really been invited by the Mayor to dine with him and the Board of Aldermen. Mr. Greyson was evidently a rich man, and yet he had actually invited two boot-blacks to dine with him.