"In other words, any statement you make following that phrase is to be taken seriously?"
"Somethin' like that."
"Then it follows that your other statements, without the 'by God' preface, are not seriously intended. Are they jokes or lies?"
"That ain't the way it is at all! I just say 'by God' when I feel like it, not every time I'm bein' serious."
"Monstrous inconsistency!" groaned the Weapon dramatically. "Ah, chaotic universe! Is there then no sublime plan, no fateful development to your endless succession of days? How could even the most synoptic First Principle find a purpose for creating such an unplanned, unreasonable species as the Humans? Can it be—unhappy thought!—that there is no plan to it all, and we exist for naught?"
Jacob listened with open mouth. "Say," he broke in, "are you some kind of play-actor?"
"That is what I ask myself," the Weapon continued its oratorical flight. "Are we all actors, speaking the lines written for us by a Great Playwright who plans to unite all the threads of his plot in a universal climax to come? Or are we poor random creatures without purpose?" It paused and added in a more conversational tone, "But that is not what you mean by your question. No, I am not a play-actor. I am an unfortunate weapon, reluctant to employ myself for my intended purpose of destruction of life and unsuited by my structure for the doing of deeds more worthy in nature."
Jacob squinted about. "A weapon, huh? Let's see you hit that bird thing sittin' in that tree over there."
"Bloodthirsty fiend! I do not kill for amusement!"
"I just wanted to see how you worked," said the abashed Jacob. "All I've seen you do is float around and talk a blue streak. As far as I'm concerned, you ain't nothin' but a big-mouthed bluff."