He went in and told his story, and his voice
shook with rage. The Amiable Answerer gave him a penny pink ice to
cool him down, and then said gently:-
"I think, dear Mr Griffin, that green spectacles would meet your
case. Then the cats which are now white would appear to you green
and . . . "
But the Griffin was already half-way to a Watchmaker's where they
sold glasses. He burst into the shop, frightened the watchmaker so
that he fell into the works of the watch he was mending and could
only be got out with the greatest difficulty, seized twelve pairs
of green spectacles, put them on all at once and flew towards the
castle.
Now the Dreadful Griffin was one of those creatures who do not stop
to think, consequently he came to grief. White cats gave him the
ague, but green dogs made him cough most fearfully; and a little
way out of the town he met thirteen white poodles taking a walk,
who of course all looked bright green to the Dreadful Griffin. He
coughed so fearfully that all the twelve pairs of spectacles fell
off his nose and were smashed to bits, and his plan was spoilt once
more.
No, I am not going to tell you what the Dreadful Griffin said and
did then, it is too terrible to speak of, but he had to keep in bed
for a week, and drink hot tar, and have his chest ironed with a
steam roller, and his nose greased with seven pounds of tallow
candles; but all his misfortunes did not cure him of wanting to eat
the Princess.
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