Mr. Growther watched him curiously as he reacted into lassitude and despondency after the strain and tension of the day.
"It's harder to stand than 'tis to git along with me, isn't it?"
"Yes, much harder."
"O thunder! better give it up, then, and try something else."
"No, it's my only chance."
"There's plenty other things to do."
"Not for me. These vulgar wretches I am working with think it an outrage that a 'jail-bird,' as they call me, contaminates the foul air that they breathe. I may be driven out by them; but," setting his teeth, "I won't give up this foothold of my own accord."
"You might have been President if you had shown such grit before you got down."
"That's not pleasant to think of now."
"I might 'a known that; but it's my mean way of comfortin' people.
A-a-h."