Your cynicism is only a matter of words, Steinmetz, and not of deeds.

There is no question of either of us leaving Osterno.

We must stay and fight it right out here." "That is so," answered Steinmetz, with the Teutonic stolidity of manner which sometimes came over him.

"But the ladies--what of them ?" Paul did not answer.

They were passing over the rise of a heavy drift.
It was necessary to keep the horses up to their work, to prevent the runners of the sleigh sinking into the snow.