"
"Poh!" said Howard, coming to the rescue of his friend. "What a fuss
you're making about nothing. You're getting wise, aren't you, Tip? Ellis
was only saying that verse in fun, just as lots of people do. I've heard
good men quote the Bible and laugh over it."
"Can't help that," said Tip boldly; "I say it's wicked, and Ellis
Holbrook's father says so too. I heard him tell Will Bailey once
that folks ought to be very careful how they said things that were
in the Bible.'
"Did he tell you to go around preaching for him through the week? How
much does he pay you for your services? Come, let's hear."
This was said in Will Bailey's most disagreeable tone. Before Tip had
time to answer, Ellis spoke again.
"Well, I don't pretend to be as good as some people are, but I really
can't see any awful wickedness in anything that I've said to-night."
"Neither can anybody else, except Tip," said Will, "and he's good, you
know; he never does anything wrong, except to tell lies and swear, or
some little matters."
Ellis was an honest boy.
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