"Yes," said Fred, still persisting in asking questions, "but you don't say whether he is coming back or not."
"That's quite true."
"Is he coming?"
"I cannot tell you."
"Don't you know?"
"Did any one ever hear such a pestiferous child!" said Mr. Button, laughing as he spoke. "His questions and his tongue run like a mill-tail."
"What's a mill-tail?" inquired Fred.
"There he goes again!" said Mr. Button, holding up both hands in mock despair.
"But I want to know whether or not you have been up to Cape Vincent to do anything about that bond," demanded Fred.
"The bond isn't registered in my name anyway," answered Mr. Button. "Probably I couldn't get it if I wanted to."