Now, to illustrate what I mean, it is altogether improbable that a devil with horns and hoofs and a fiery tail should suddenly appear, pick me up out of this delightful circle, and fly away with me.

But you cannot induce me to deny the possibility of such a thing." "I am so glad to hear you say that," said the Signora, who was a religious woman.
Kalmon looked at her a moment and then broke into a peal of laughter that was taken up by the rest, and in which the good lady joined.
"You brought it on yourself," she said at last.
"Yes," Kalmon answered.

"I did.

From your point of view it is better to admit the possibility of a mediaeval devil with horns than to have no religion at all.

Half a loaf is better than no bread." "Is that stuff of yours animal, vegetable, or mineral ?" asked Corbario as the laughter subsided.
"I don't know," replied the Professor.