“I can’t do wot yer want.”
“Why not?”
“‘Cause I ain’t got ther lad.”
“You haven’t?”
“No.”
“Where is he?”
“Sent adrift.”
“Explain yourself.”
“Yesterday this craft was on ther sea. A quarter boat wuz towin’ astarn, ther boy in it, a-paintin’ ther ship. Ther rope must ha’ broke, leavin’ him adrift on ther sea, ‘cause we found ther end of ther broken painter, an’ missed ther quarter boat.”
Frank eyed him searchingly.