After all, I don't know very much about railroad building; up to now I've got on rather by determination than knowledge.

Then, if I stop with you, I'll come up against a locked door whenever I try to push ahead." "There are locked doors in other professions." "That's so; but in a big organization you must knock and ask somebody to let you through, and unless you have a properly stamped ticket, they turn you back.

When the job's your own you beat down the door." "I've seen farmers who tried that plan left outside with badly jarred hands.

Frost and rust and driving sand are difficult obstacles." "Oh, yes," said Festing.

"But they're natural obstacles; you know what you're up against and can overcome them, if you're stubborn enough.
What I really mean is, you don't trust to somebody else's good opinion; whether you fail or not depends upon yourself." "Well," said Kerr, getting up, "I think you're making the right choice, but hope you won't forget me when you leave us.