In translating her words into English they fell by accident into that shape.

No one but you would find fault with them.
Would it have been better if he had translated her words into the scientific phraseology which the doctor made use of with regard to the ichthyosaurus?
He might have made it this way: 'Does it bite ?' 'No; it swallows its food without mastication.' Would that have been better?
Besides, it's all very well to talk of imitating Defoe and Swift; but suppose he couldn't do it ?" "Then he shouldn't have written the book." "In that case how could his father have heard about his adventures ?" "His father!" exclaimed Melick.

"Do you mean to say that you still accept all this as bona fide ?" "Do you mean to say," retorted Oxenden, "that you still have any doubt about the authenticity of this remarkable manuscript ?" At this each looked at the other; Melick elevated his eyebrows, and Oxenden shrugged his shoulders, but each seemed unable to find words to express his amazement at the other's stupidity, and so they took refuge in silence.
"What do you understand by this athaleb, doctor ?" asked Featherstone.
"The athaleb ?" said the doctor.

"Why, it is clearly the pterodactyl." "By-the-bye," interrupted Oxenden, "do please take notice of that name.

It affords another exemplification of 'Grimm's Law.' The Hebrew word is 'ataleph,' and means bat.