"Unless we find another blockade," Mrs. Marley smilingly answered.
"Mother, you wouldn't call that a catastrophe, would you?" inquired Artie, who could use words "as long as himself" his father sometimes declared.
"Huh, that was a cowtastrophe," Fred said placidly.
"I never thought you'd do a thing like that, Fred," said Mr. Williamson. "Never. I am more shocked than grieved."
"What did he do?" clamored Ward and Jess, for the other car had shot on ahead. "What did Fred do?"
"He made a pun, and that is worse than a riddle," Mr. Williamson answered.
"He just did it for fun," said Polly, half-believing that Fred's father was displeased.
"I made a pun—just for fun," Fred chanted. "Gee, that's poetry."
"It was bum," sang Artie. "That makes more poetry."