И проиграли бой

           Jimclimbedupcarefully.Therungswerelooseintheladder:"How’sthings,Dan?"heaskedashehunguphisbucket.

           "Oh,prettygood.Iain’tfeelingsogood.Themcoldbeanslaylikeaflatironinmeallnight."

           "Well,yououghttohaveawarmsupper."

           "Iwasjusttootiredtobuildafire.I’mgettingon.Ididn’twanttogetupthismorning.Itwascold."

           "Youshouldtryoneofthecharityrackets,"saidJim.

           "Idon’tknow.Allthemenistalkin’strike,andthere’sgoin’t’betrouble.I’mtired.Idon’twantnotroubletocomenow.What’llIdoifthemenstrike?"

           "Whystrikewiththem.Leadthem."Jimtriedtospurhimthroughpride."Themenwouldrespectanoldworkerlikeyou.Youcouldleadthepickets."

           "Is’poseIcould,"saidDan.Hewipedhisnosewithabighandandflickedhisfingers."Ijustdon’twantto.It’sgoin’togetcoldearlythisafternoon.I’dlikealittlehotsoupforsupper—hotashell,withlittlebitsofmeatinit,andsomehottoasttosoakinit.Ilovepoachedeggs.WhenIusedtocometotownoutofthewoods,withmoney,sometimesI’dgetmehalfadozeneggspoachedinmilk,andlet’emsoakintotoast.AndthenI’dmashtheeggsupintothetoast,andI’deat’em.Sometimeseighteggs.Imadegoodpayinthewoods.Icouldjustaseasyofgottwodozenpoachedeggs.IwishIhad.Lotsofbutter,an’allsprinkledwithpepper."

           "Notsohard-boiledasyouwereyesterday,huh,Pop?Yesterdayyoucouldout-workanybodyonthelot."