"You are not compelled to believe it."
"Cintipades in th' winter!" snorted the Irish lad. "Thot bates th' band!"
"Well, you may think what you like, but you may see some of our winter centipedes some time, and then it is possible you will feel that you owe me an apology."
"Vot does cendibedes look like, ain't it?"
"They have long, leg-like claws, and are covered with hard shells."
"Und dey pite?"
"Well, I should say so."
"Put, vy vos some beoples afrait dose cendibedes uf to go to ped? You tole me dot."
"Well, these winter centipedes are great creatures to seek warm corners, and so they get into beds."
Sammy Smiles was ready to roll on the floor. He could not keep his laughter bottled up, and it burst forth in a gurgle, which he quickly changed to a most distressing cough.