"I wonder what use you think I would be ?" "To tell the truth, I haven't considered whether you would be of any use or not.

The trip will brace you up, and you look as if you needed it." Benson's face grew red.
"Your intentions may be good, but you virtuous and respectable people sometimes show a meddlesome thoughtfulness which degenerates like myself resent.

Besides, I suspect your offer has come too late." "I don't think you have much reason for taunting me with being respectable," Blake answered with a grim smile.

"Anyway, I want you to come with us." Tilting back his chair, Benson looked heavily about.
"When I was new to the country, I often wished to go North," he said.
"There are caribou and moose up yonder; great sights when the rivers break up in the spring; and a sled trip across the snow must be a thing to remember! The wilds draw me--but I'm afraid my nerve's not good enough.

A man must be fit in every way to cross the timber belt." "Why aren't you fit?
Why have you let that fellow Clarke suck the life and energy out of you, as well as rob you of your money ?" "You hit hard, but I deserve it, and I'll try to explain." Benson indicated the desolate settlement with a gesture of weariness.
Ugly frame houses straggled, weather-scarred and dilapidated, along one side of the unpaved street, while unsightly refuse dumps disfigured the slopes of the ravine in front.