"Well, sir, this is the first time I've found him wantin' to hang round after he's thoroughly rubbed in the news."
Dillon moved away from the fire; the crowded cabin was getting hot.
Nevertheless the Colonel put on more wood, explaining to Salmon P. and the others, who also moved back, that it was for illuminating purposes—those two candles burning down low, each between three nails in a little slab of wood—those two had been kept for Christmas, and were the last they had.
In the general movement from the fire, Benham, putting on his cap and gloves, had got next to Dillon.
"Look here," said the Trader, under cover of the talk about candles, "what sort of a trip have you had?"
The Yukon pioneer looked at him a moment, and then took his pipe out of his mouth to say:
"Rank."
"No fun, hey?"
"That's right." He restored the pipe, and drew gently.
"And yet to hear the General chirp—"