I don't like his kind at all." Bryant laughed.
"Why, he's the best friend I have," he exclaimed.

"What do you think he did for me ?" "Well, what?
Besides trying to shake you down ?" "Pat, he carried off and married my girl." The contractor lowered his feet, placed his hands upon his knees, and gazed at Bryant, with brows down-drawn and under lip up-thrust.
"That good-for-nothing Ruth what's-her-name ?" he demanded.

In all the months of their association it was the first time he had ever spoken of her to Bryant.
"Ruth Gardner, yes." Carrigan rose, gave Lee a long and solemn look, then went to a trunk in the corner of the room.

This he unlocked and opened.

From its interior he produced a black bottle.
"I don't take a drink very often," he announced, coming forward and setting the bottle on the table, "but this is one of the times.