Galusha smiled and said he never had. Primmie, who had been silent for almost three minutes, could remain so no longer.
“I think Solomon would be the right name for you, Mr. Bangs,” she cried, enthusiastically. “You know such a terrible lot—about some kinds of things.” This last a hasty addition.
Zach snorted. “Solomon!” he repeated. “Dan Beebe—Ras Beebe's cousin over to Trumet—named his boy Solomon, and last week they took the young-one up to the State home for feeble-minded. What name would you pick out of the Bible for yourself, Mr. Bangs?”
It was then that Galusha made the reply to which reference has been made. His smile changed and became what Primmie described as “one of his one-sided ones.”
“Ah—um—well—Ananias, perhaps,” he said, and walked away.
Zach and Miss Cash stared after him. Of course, it was the latter who spoke first.
“Ananias!” she repeated. “Why, Ananias was the feller that—that lied so and was struck down dead. I remember him in Sunday school. Him and his wife Sophrony. Seems to me 'twas Sophrony; it might have been Maria, though. But, anyhow, they died lyin'.”
“That so? I thought they lied dyin'.”
“Oh, be still! But what did Mr. Bangs pick out THAT name for—of all names? Can you tell me that?”
Zacheus could not, of course, nor did he attempt it. Instead, he rose and gazed sadly at his companion.