You have, however, already learned how to render your present condition eternal." Burton sighed.
"The knowledge came too late," he said.

"The tree had disappeared.

It was given away, by the Mr.Waddington I told you of, to a child whom he met in the street." "Dear me!" Mr.Cowper exclaimed gravely.

"This is most disappointing.
Is there no chance of recovering it?
"We are trying," Burton replied.

"Mr.Waddington has engaged a private detective and we are also advertising in the papers." "You have the beans still, at any rate," the professor remarked, hopefully.
"We have the beans," Burton admitted, "but it is very awkward not knowing how long one's condition is going to last.