"Is very well," said Mr. Slick, "in the way of preachin';
but lookin' back when you can't see nothin', as you are
now, is only a hurtin' of your eyes. I never hear that
word, 'lookin' back,' that I don't think of that funny
story of Lot's wife."

"Funny story of Lot's wife, Sir! Do you call that a
funny story, Sir?"

"I do, Sir."

"You do, Sir?"

"Yes, I do, Sir; and I defy you or any other man to say
it ain't a funny story."

"Oh dear, dear," said Mr. Hopewell, "that I should have
lived to see the day when you, my son, would dare to
speak of a Divine judgment as a funny story, and that
you should presume so to address me."

"A judgment, Sir?"

"Yes, a judgment, Sir."

"Do you call the story of Lot's wife a judgment?"

"Yes, I do call the story of Lot's wife a judgment; a
monument of the Divine wrath for the sin of disobedience."