"They'd be sticking out their tongues at each other if they was twenty years younger; pity they ain't, too; it would be a relief to 'em both!" "Phenie provokes me almost past endurance!" Mrs.Kate complained, burying two plump forearms in a dishpan of sudsy hot water, and bringing up a handful of silver.

"It's because Ford had been fighting when he came here, and she knows he has been slightly addicted to liquor.

She looks down on him, and I don't think it's fair.

If a man wants to reform, I believe in helping him instead of pushing him father down." (Mrs.Kate had certain little peculiarities of speech; one was an italicized delivery, and another was the omission of an r now and then.
She always said "father" when she really meant "farther.") "There's a lot that one can do to help.

I believe in showing trust and confidence in a man, when he's trying to live down past mistakes.