"There's no one to laugh--why should I make fun of you ?" he asked, jeeringly, in English, for his English was almost as good as his French, save in the turn of certain idioms.

"Come, my little punchinello, tell me, now, why have you come back ?" Castine laughed bitterly.
"Ha, ha, why do I come back?
I'll tell you." He sucked at his pipe.
"Bon'venture is a good place to come to-yes.

I have been to Quebec, to St.John, to Fort Garry, to Detroit, up in Maine and down to New York.
I have ride a horse in a circus, I have drive a horse and sleigh in a shanty, I have play in a brass band, I have drink whiskey every night for a month--enough whiskey.

I have drink water every night for a year--it is not enough.

I have learn how to speak English; I have lose all my money when I go to play a game of cards.