"What are you about, anyway?"
"Adding up two and two, and trying to make them six."
"Talk of blowing things up!" said Rig; "if that isn't inflation! You'll find it a quicker job, Kin, to fetch in two more, if time is any object to you."
"When you want sense," said Magnus, "go straight to the man who hasn't got any, and he'll give you his whole stock. I'll pit you against the world. Clear out and curl your hair; I've got something to do."
And Magnus took from his Bible the slip of paper Mr. Upright had given him a year ago, then turned over to the fourth chapter of the first epistle of Peter, and put it in there for a mark. But he looked long and steadily at the staunch words:
"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed."
After a little Rig came and peered over his shoulder again.
"Hard at it yet?" he said.
"Yes," said Magnus, "and like to be. Just look at this! 'If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.' And I don't feel happy, worth a cent. I feel just as cross as two sticks."
"But you can't take that as a command," said Rig, looking puzzled. "Folks don't feel happy to order."