"Well, I did see an old woman in a red cloak, grandma."
"No, you didn't see an old woman at all. Child, you have not been out of
the house to-day!"
"I saw a dog with a red pepper in his mouth," I said, meekly.
"No, you did not even see a dog."
"Well, I saw my own red pepper!" I cried, breaking into sudden tears,
for this was my last stronghold, and if the pepper was taken away all my
charming fairy tale was gone.
"It's not a question of truth or untruth," my father said, tossing his
head back as if he were displeased. "It was merely a story of adventure.
Pray did you never meet any heroic beasts yourself in your own day?"