Says I firmly, "I don't believe the Scripter means to have us
stand round talkin' Bible, and let the Smedleys starve," says I.
"I s'pose it means not to boast of our good deeds."

Says she, "I believe in takin' the Scripter literal, and if I
can't git my stuff there entirely unbeknown to my right hand I
sha'n't give."

"Wall," says I, gettin' up and movin' towards the door, "you must
do as you're a mind to with fear and tremblin'."

I said it pretty impressive, for I thought I would let her see I
could quote Scripter as well as she could, if I sot out.

But good land! I knew it wuz a excuse. I knew she wouldn't give
nothin' not if her right hand had the num palsy, and you could
stick a pin into it -- no, she wouldn't give, not if her right
hand was cut off and throwed away.

Wall, Miss Bombus, old Dr. Bombus'es widow, wouldn't give -- and
for all the world -- I went right there from Miss Whymper'ses.
Miss Bombus wouldn't give because I didn't put the names in the
Jonesville Augur or Gimlet, for she said, "Let your good deeds so
shine."

"Why," says I, "Miss Whymper wouldn't give because she wanted to
give secreter, and you won't give because you want to give
publicker, and you both quote Scripter, but it don't seem to help
the Smedleys much."