It was a sport I was meant for." He paused and sighed.

"I've had to be a sawmill hand and a storekeeper." Devine grinned at this.
"Well," he said, "you've raked more money out of pork and sugar than I have out of surveying.

For that matter, you've got most of mine; and you're better off than I am, because the store's still running." "Oh, yes," said his companion, with a sardonic smile, "it's being run by Jim from Okanagan, and he'll have the boys round in the back store evenings sampling cheese and eating crackers while they help him.
They're kind of curious insects, and it's a blame pity I never remembered to put those Vancouver invoices where they wouldn't lay hands on them, for there'll sure be trouble when I get back again.

You have got to strike people for full prices when they don't always meet their bills.

Anyway, the man who spreads himself out on jobs that don't strictly belong to him is bound to find it cost him something." It was significant that he spoke of going back; but both he and Devine admitted that possibility.