`` No , he was n't . And he need n't come neither . I could have had him long ago when he was fresh . I do n't want any second-hand goods , believe ME . As for Horace Baxter , he was in financial difficulties a year ago last summer , and he prayed to the Lord for help ; and when his wife died and he got her life insurance he said he believed it was the answer to his prayer . Was n't that like a man ? '' `` Have you really proof that he said that , Cornelia ? '' `` I have the Methodist minister 's word for it -- if you call THAT proof . Robert Baxter told me the same thing too , but I admit THAT is n't evidence . Robert Baxter is n't often known to tell the truth . '' `` Come , come , Cornelia , I think he generally tells the truth , but he changes his opinion so often it sometimes sounds as if he did n't . '' `` It sounds like it mighty often , believe ME . But trust one man to excuse another . I have no use for Robert Baxter . He turned Methodist just because the Presbyterian choir happened to be singing ` Behold the bridegroom cometh ' for a collection piece when him and Margaret walked up the aisle the Sunday after they were married . Served him right for being late ! He always insisted the choir did it on purpose to insult him , as if he was of that much importance . But that family always thought they were much bigger potatoes than they really were . His brother Eliphalet imagined the devil was always at his elbow -- but I never believed the devil wasted that much time on him . '' `` I -- do n't -- know , '' said Captain Jim thoughtfully .
`` Eliphalet XXXXX lived too much alone -- had n't even a cat or dog to keep him human .
Baxter Cornelia Eliphalet Jim Margaret Methodist Presbyterian devil right singing