And the town would be relieved of a dissipated man, and you could then carry out your plan of establishing a village library here." "But," said Albert between his teeth, "I hear that the reason Jim didn't come back to take possession of his claim at the end of his thirty days is his sickness.

He's sick at the Sod Tavern." "Well, you see, he oughtn't to have neglected his claim so long before he was taken sick.

Not at all.

Besides, he doesn't add anything to the moral character of a town.

I value the moral character of a settler above all I do, indeed.