No More Learning

"

"He had to preach. "

"It's no night to be out. "

"He may be small,
He may be good, but one thing's sure, he's tough. "

"And strong of stale tobacco. "

"He'll pull through. "

"You only say so. Not another house
Or shelter to put into from this place
To theirs. I'm going to call his wife again. "

"Wait and he may. Let's see what he will do.
Let's see if he will think of her again.
But then I doubt he's thinking of himself
He doesn't look on it as anything. "

"He shan't go--there! "

"It _is_ a night, my dear. "

"One thing: he didn't drag God into it.
"

"He don't consider it a case for God. "

"You think so, do you? You don't know the kind.
He's getting up a miracle this minute.
Privately--to himself, right now, he's thinking
He'll make a case of it if he succeeds,
But keep still if he fails. "

"Keep still all over.
He'll be dead--dead and buried. "

"Such a trouble!
Not but I've every reason not to care
What happens to him if it only takes
Some of the sanctimonious conceit
Out of one of those pious scalawags. "

"Nonsense to that! You want to see him safe. "

"You like the runt. "

"Don't you a little? "

"Well,
I don't like what he's doing, which is what
You like, and like him for. "

"Oh, yes you do.
You like your fun as well as anyone;
Only you women have to put these airs on
To impress men.