My pa, sir, was knocked down an' killed by a motor-car.
It was in the early days," pursued Tilda, desperate now and aghast at her own invention.

The lies seemed to spring to her lips full grown.
"Pa was a stableman, sir, at Buckin'am Palace, and often and often I've 'eard 'im tell mother what'd be the end of 'im.

He 'd seen it in a dream.

And mother, _she_ was a stewardess in a Sou'-Western boat that got cut in two last year.

Maybe you read of it in the papers ?" Tears by this time filled the child's eyes.