Sinclair Lewis

“ Say, kid, this is---- Muh boy, we shall have the rare privilege of pooling adventures as far as Blewett Pass, four to six days' run from here--a day this side of Seattle. I'm going to my gold-mine there. I'll split up on the grub--I note from your kit that you camp nights. Quite all right, my boy. Pinky Parrott is no man to fear night air."
⁠He patted Milt's shoulder with patronizing insolence. ”

“ Sorry!"
⁠"Milt, you sit here by the fire and get warm. I'm not going to be robbed of the egotistic pleasure of being hospitable. Everybody look happy now!"
⁠She got them all seated--all but Pinky. He had long since seated himself, by the fire, in Claire's chair, and he was smoking a cigar from the box which Jeff had brought for Mr. Boltwood.
⁠Milt sat farthest from the fire, by the dining-table. He was agonizing, "This Jeff person is the real thing. He's no Percy in riding-breeches. He's used to society and nastiness. ”

“ Claire might have been, but Milt had heard politics and religion argued about the stove in Rauskukle's store too often to be startled by polysyllabomania. He knew it was often the sign of a man who has read too loosely and too much by himself. ”

“ Have I simply got to beat you up before you begin to suspect you aren't welcome? Your social standing isn't even in the telephone book. And your vocabulary---- You let too many 'kids' slip in among the juicy words. ”

“ Claire was asking, when a voice boomed, "Let me introduce myself as Westlake Parrott."
⁠Jeff abruptly took charge. He faced Pinky and demanded, "I beg pardon!"
⁠Claire's eyebrows asked questions of Milt.
⁠"This is a fellow I gave a lift to. Miner--I mean actor--well, kind of spiritualistic medium----"
⁠Mr. Boltwood, with the geniality of dinner and cigar, soothed, "Jeff, uh, Daggett here has saved our lives two distinct times, and given us a great deal of help. He is a motor expert. ”

“ He snorted. "Huh! What are you--newspaper, politics, law, preacher, or gambler?"
⁠"Well, a little of all those interesting occupations. And ten-twent-thirt trouping, and county-fair spieling, and selling Dr. Thunder Rapids' Choctaw Herbal Sensitizer. How far y' going?"
⁠"Seattle." ”