I thought I'd jest stay here an' carry it out till I got the money back; but that wa'n't any excuse.

I ain't spent a cent of the money; it's all put away just as it was paid in, in a sugar-bowl in the china closet; but that ain't any excuse.

I took it on myself to do justice instead of the Lord, an' that ain't for any human bein' to do.

I ain't Esther Maxwell.

I'm brought up short.