We were talking about a ribbon, Sir." "What ribbon ?" "A ribbon we saw at church, Sir." "Well, whose was it ?" asked Mr.Gray.
"I believe it was Miss Hope Wayne's." "You believe, Gyles?
Why don't you speak out ?" "Well, Sir, the fact is that Abel Newt says she had a purple ribbon on her bonnet--" "She hadn't," said Gabriel, breaking in, impetuously.

"She had a beautiful blue ribbon, and lilies of the valley inside, and a white lace vail, and--" Gabriel stopped and turned very red, for he caught Abel Newt's eyes fixed sharply upon him.
"Oh ho! the text was there, was it ?" asked Mr.Gray, smiling.
But Abel Newt only said, quietly: "Oh well! I guess it _was_ a blue ribbon after all.".