"What did the dean say ?" "Nothing.

The answer he gave me amounted to nothing.

Not that I wish you to understand that he held his tongue.

On the contrary, he talked incessantly in his best-modulated voice, and was smiling, friendly, in fact, almost appreciative, but not a single word fell from his lips that was really to the point.

Do what I would, I could not get him to discuss a single question, or to give me a reason as to why he had got me turned out of the workman's society, and put his chaplain in my place.