Who expressed sympathy by saying, "You poor, poor dears, why don't you pull hard?"?

The correct response is attributed to Mercedes. In the context of "The Call of the Wild," Mercedes showcases her lack of understanding of the harsh realities of survival and the rugged life of sled dogs. Her statement expresses a misguided compassion towards the struggling sled dogs, highlighting her emotional disposition and naivety regarding the demands placed on those animals.

This moment contrasts sharply with the view of the other characters, such as Hal and Francois, who understand that the dogs are being overworked and are struggling due to the challenging conditions. While Hal tends to be more callous and driven by his own ambitions, Francois shows a more realistic approach to caring for the animals. Mercedes's well-meaning but ultimately misguided sympathy underscores her disconnect from the environment in which they are operating and the realities of the sledding challenges they face.