Looking back, therefore--" "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." "What! Mrs.Happy Lot?
Do you call her a monument of wrath?
Well, well, if that don't beat all, Minister.

If you had a been a-tyin' of the night-cap last night I shouldn't a wondered at your talkin' at that pace.

But to call that dear little woman, Mrs.Happy Lot, that dancin', laughin' tormentin', little critter, a monument of wrath, beats all to immortal smash." "Why who are you a-talkin' of, Sam ?" "Why, Mrs.Happy Lot, the wife of the Honourable Cranbery Lot, of Umbagog, to be sure.

Who did you think I was a-talkin' of ?" "Well, I thought you was a-talkin' of--of--ahem--of subjects too serious to be talked of in that manner; but I did you wrong, Sam; I did you injustice.