How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
'I have been declared the luckiest man in Hokitika,' he said, as he handed Crosbie Wells his envelope (VI.3.6)
Staines then goes out and tells Staines about the big deal the bankers made over his nugget. Staines seems embarrassed and uncomfortable, since it wasn't his nugget or "lucky day"—it was Crosbie's. Hmm, is it bad luck to pretend you have good luck? Based on what happens to Staines after that, we think it might be.
Quote #8
'How good it is to see you again,' Anna said after a moment.
'It is perfectly serendipitous,' said the boy, descending the steps to the street (VI.4.10).
After Staines spies Anna's arrival into Hokitika (without realizing it, of course), the two actually run into each other right away, as Clinch is escorting Anna to his hotel, where she is to live. As Staines says, it's definitely "serendipitous."
Quote #9
'Poor Mr. Lauderback,' she said again.
'He made his own bed,' said Carver, watching her.
'Yes, he did; but you and I warmed the sheets for him.'
'Don't feel sorry for a coward,' said Carver. 'Least of all a coward with money to spare.'
'I pity him.'
'Why? Because of the bastard? I'd sooner feel sorry for the bastard. Lauderback's had nothing but good luck from start to finish. He's a made man.'
'He is; and yet he is pitiable. He is so ashamed, Francis. Of Crosbie, of his father, of himself. I cannot help but feel pity for a man who is ashamed' (IV.7.14-20).
We suppose it's not too surprising that people begrudge others their good luck if they get too much of it. Of course, Frank Carver is pure evil, so we don't really trust his opinion on much, but it seems that he's kind of trying to justify tricking Lauderback out of money (or at least the fact that he doesn't feel guilty about it) by saying that Lauderback's already had too much luck.