"Were you listening to them all the time you were gone?"
"Just about."
"And didn't you find out anything more specific than what you've told me?"
"No, I don't think I did."
"Why did you leave them?"
"They seemed to 've talked the subject dry and turned to other matters, and I thought I'd better come and tell you about it."
"And they're there yet?"
"So far as I know."
"After they'd talked their subject dry, what did they find to discuss?" asked Hal.
"Something wet," Bud answered with a grin.