"What do you mean to do?"
"Are you good with a shovel?" was the cryptic reply.
"I don't understand you, I must say."
"You will later on. We'll drive up to that farmhouse yonder."
"Yes, and what then?"
"We'll borrow two shovels."
"Two shovels!"
"That's what I said."
"But what on earth have two shovels to do with stopping a bunch of kids from entering in an aëroplane race?"
"Carlos, your brain is dull to-day."