"It's biting me that you've got to work so hard."
"If it don't bite me none, why not let it go at that?"
"Because I don't seem able to. I've taken so much from you."
"Well, I've had it to 'and out, ain't I?"
"But I don't see why you do it."
"A young boy like you don't have to see. There's lots o' things I didn't understand at your age."
"You don't seem specially—" he sought for words less direct, but without finding them—"you don't seem—specially fond of me."
"I never was one to be fond o' people, except it was a dog. Always had a 'ankerin' for a dog; but a free life don't let yer keep one. A dog'll never go back on yer."
"Well, do you think I would?"
"I don't think nothink about it, Kid. When the time comes that you can do without me...."