"After all, worse things might happen to them." "It's conceivable," agreed Blake.

"But what particular things were you referring to ?" "I was thinking of men who go to the devil while they're alive.
There's a fellow in this neighborhood who's doing something of the kind." "Rot!" exclaimed a thick voice; and a man's figure appeared against the light at the open window.

"Devil'sh a myth; allegorolical gentleman, everybody knowsh.

Hard word that--allegorolical.

Bad word too; reminds you of things in the rivers down in Florida.