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 put a whole paper into the stove this mornin', and how could she tell the difference between this week's paper and last? If anybody is to blame we are, we ort to told her to not touch the papers, and we must tell her to not touch the fire. And if I wuz goin' to punish her for anything it would be for meddlin' with the stove. I shouldn't whip her for tellin' the truth, that wouldn't be my way."

"Well, she ort to be punished for sass."

"I don't believe she meant it for sass," sez I, "I wouldn't interfere if you wuz correctin' her. But I do not think she meant it for sass."

"What did she mean it for, then?"

"Why," sez I, "I believe she said she wuz glad because she wuz glad."

"Well, she hadn't no bizness to said it, anyway, it didn't sound very good."

Sez I, "Josiah Allen, didn't you ever speak out when you had hurt you and wuz in pain, and say things that didn't sound good, and that you would like to take back if you could?"

"No," sez he, "I never did."

"Josiah Allen," sez I, "can you say that with a clear conscience?"

"Yes, I can, clear as a crystal fountain. I hain't one of the kind that fly all to pieces if I happen to bruise my thumb, or cut me, or pound my fingers, some men do," he admitted, "but I don't, I never say a word I don't mean, I never say a word I would wish to take back, no matter how severe the pain is."

Sez I firmly, "Josiah Allen you do, you prance round and act lots of times."

"Oh, well, encourage her in burnin' up the world if