Alton, however, proceeded quietly.
"I needn't tell you what it means," he said.

"It may mean anything, including a wooden city.

You know it as well as I do, but I'm going to tell you this.

Unless you hold tight to your own, and do a little for yourselves, when the good time comes you'll be left out in the cold.
There's a man who sees this better than you or I feeling for a grip on the Somasco valley, and there'll be very little left for the rest of us if he gets it." "Hallam of the Tyee," a growl ran down the table.
Alton nodded.

"Yes," said he.