"You're as welcome as the flowers in spring." "Thank you.

It's a fine job you're doing out here." "Now it's my turn to extend my thanks to you," Tom drawled.

"Your praise is all the more appreciated as coming from a competitor." "A competitor!" asked Ransom quickly, and with a half scowl.

"I'm not an engineer." "Your people are ranked as pretty fair engineers," Reade rejoined.
"My people?
What do you mean, Reade?
There isn't an engineer in our family." "No; but the Colthwaite Company employs a good many engineers," Tom suggested.
"Colthwaite ?" repeated Ransom, now on his guard.

"I have nothing to do with that concern." "No ?" asked Tom, as though greatly astonished.