But Josiah hesitated. Then, to the great amusement of all, Aunt Indiana rose to the ceiling, bent her generously bonneted head, stretched forth her arm, and said:
"He is quite right—quite right, Josiah. Is he not, Josiah?"
"Quite right," said Josiah.
"People do not talk about what is continuous—what goes right along. Am I not right, Josiah?"
"Quite right! quite right!"
"If a man tells me he is honest, he is not honest. If he tells me that he is pure, he isn't pure. If he were honest or pure he says nothing about it. Am I not right, Josiah?"
"Quite right! quite right!"
"Nobody tells about his stomach unless it is out of order; and no one puts cotton into keyholes unless he himself is peeking through keyholes. Am I not right, Josiah?"
"Quite right! quite right!"
"And no one asks ye to sign a temperance pledge unless he's been a drunkard himself, or thinks ye are one, or likely to be. Ain't I right, Josiah?"