Buck turned to meet the sick face of Haines.
"Well ?" he said.
"Let me have that flask." Buck produced a metal "life-saver," and Haines with nervous hands unscrewed the top and lifted it to his lips.

He lowered it after a long moment and stood bracing himself against the wall.
"It was hell, Buck.

God help me if I ever have to go through a thing like that again." "I see what you done," said Buck angrily.

"You walked right in and took your story in both hands and knocked her down with it.

Haines, of all the ornery, thick-headed cayuses I ever see, you're the most out-beatin'est!" "I couldn't help it." "Why not ?" "When I went in she took one look at me and then jumped up and stood as straight as a pine tree.
"'Lee,' she said, 'what have you heard ?'" "'About what ?' I asked her, and I looked sort of indifferent." "Dan!" snorted Buck.