They quarreled about their wages and sometimes struck a domineering boss, but they did their work, in spite of scorching heat and biting frost.

Raging floods, snowslides, and rocks that rolled down the mountain side and smashed the track never daunted them.

Their character had something of the clean hardness of finely tempered steel.

But Charnock was different.
"So you think of quitting ?" Festing said at length.
"I'm forced to quit; I'm in too deep to get straight.

It's possible that the man I owe most money might give me time, but it would only mean that I'd slave for another year or two and come down after all.