Jean saw none, and Philip realized that the half-breed's calm and unheated judgment was more to be reckoned with than hers.

At the same time, he did not feel dismayed.

He was of the sort who have born in them the fighting instinct, And with this instinct, which is two thirds of life's battle won, goes the sort of optimism that has opened up raw worlds to the trails of men.

Without the one the other cannot exist.
As the blows of his axe cut deep into the birch, Philip knew that so long as there is life and freedom and a sun above it is impossible for hope to become a thing of char and ash.

He did not use logic.