The "great packing machine" refers to the slaughter industry the author describes through the book. He is trying to portrait and denounce the unhealthy, dangerous, almost-enslavement condition the workers suffer in that industry.
Connie leaves with arnold to do whatever he asks of her
It is a simile because it says AS dry as the desert.
Athletes are at risk of exercise-associated hypothermia because of the temperature (surroundings) of where the athlete is exercising. Also doing extreme things like doing anything in the cold that athletes have to overcome can be why they are more likely to get hypothermia.
Summary because of the cold conditions they are playing or doing the activity.
He said that he does not want to see her anymore.
