human
How hard were you driven?
gpt
Sometimes, until I could scarcely crawl back to my tent or the sleeping-shack at night. Out yonder, construction bosses and contractors' foremen are skilled in getting the utmost value of every dollar out of a man. I've had my hands worn to raw wounds and half my knuckles bruised until it was almost impossible to bend them.
human
Were you compelled to work like that?
gpt
I thought so. It seemed to be the custom of the country; one had to get used to it.
human
But was there nothing easier? Had you no money?
gpt
Very little, as a rule; and what I had I tried to keep. It was to give me a start in life. It was hard to resist the temptation to use some of it now and then, but I held out. He laughed grimly.
human
After all, I suppose it was excellent discipline.