"What about 'em?"
"They're jumpable at midnight."
French Charlie invited the Boy to go along, but neither he nor the Colonel felt enthusiastic.
"They're no good, those claims, except to sell to some sucker, and we're not in that business yet, sah."
They had just done twenty miles in slush and mire, and their hearts were heavier than their heels. No, they would go to bed while the others did the jumpin', and next day they would fill Keith's wood-bin.
"So if work does turn up we won't have to worry about usin' up his firin'." In the chill of the next evening they were cording the results of the day's chopping, when Maudie, in fur coat, skirts to the knee, and high rubber boots, appeared behind Keith's shack. Without deigning to notice the Boy, "Ain't seen you all day," says she to the Colonel.
"Busy," he replied, scarcely looking up.
"Did you do any jumpin' last night?"
"No."
"That's all right."