There wuz Sloke Haines and old Ike Knight and Coonrod Simmes—all three
Ag'inst the Bible and the Light, and scoutin' Deity.
"Science," says Ike, "it dimonstrates—it takes nobody's word—
Scriptur' er not,—it 'vestigates ef sich things could occurred!"
XL
Well, Doc he heerd this,—he'd drapped in a minute, fer to git
A tore-off heel pegged on agin,—and, as he stood on it
And stomped and grinned, he says to Ike, "I s'pose now, purty soon
Some lightnin'-bug, indignant-like, 'll ''vestigate' the moon!...
XLI
"No, Ike," says Doc, "this world hain't saw no brains like yourn and mine
With sense enough to grasp a law 'at takes a brain divine.—
I've bared the thoughts of brains in doubt, and felt their finest pulse,—
And mortal brains jes won't turn out omnipotent results!"
XLII
And Doc he's got respects to spare the rich as well as pore—
Says he, "I'd turn no millionaire onsheltered from my door."—
Says he, "What's wealth to him in quest o' honest friends to back
And love him fer hisse'f?—not jes because he's made his jack!"
XLIII
And childern.—Childern? Lawzy-day! Doc worships 'em!—You call
Round at his house and ast 'em!—they're a-swarmin' there—that's all!—
They're in his Lib'ry—in best room—in kitchen—fur and near,—
In office too, and, I p'sume, his operatin'-cheer!