"The wireless telephoneless telephone brought me your wish. I came very near answering, but you didn't hold the wireless wire, and I thought it would be more exciting to save you at the last minute, the way they always do in books."
"I'm afraid—" began Billy.
"Don't do it," interrupted Mr. Gas.
"What?"
"Be afraid."
"But I meant to say I was afraid—" he began again.
"You did say it—you didn't just mean to say it," said Mr. Gas severely.
"Well, what I meant was that I didn't think Gehsundheit and Umberufen have been of much use to me."
"That's better—never use the word afraid, because there's nothing in the world to be afraid of if you do your best."