`` I never read novels , '' said Miss Cornelia . `` Did you hear how Geordie Russell was today , Captain Jim ? '' `` Yes , I called in on my way home to see him . He 's getting round all right -- but stewing in a broth of trouble , as usual , poor man . '' ` Course he brews up most of it for himself , but I reckon that do n't make it any easier to bear . '' `` He 's an awful pessimist , '' said Miss Cornelia . `` Well , no , he ai n't a pessimist exactly , Cornelia . He only jest never finds anything that suits him . '' `` And is n't that a pessimist ? '' `` No , no . A pessimist is one who never expects to find anything to suit him . Geordie hai n't got THAT far yet . '' `` You 'd find something good to say of the devil himself , Jim Boyd . '' `` Well , you 've heard the story of the old lady who said he was persevering . But no , Cornelia , I 've nothing good to say of the devil . '' `` Do you believe in him at all ? '' asked Miss Cornelia seriously . `` How can you ask that when you know what a good Presbyterian I am , Cornelia ? How could a Presbyterian get along without a devil ? '' `` DO you ? ''
persisted Miss XXXXX .
Boyd Cornelia Course Jim Presbyterian Russell devil hai pessimist right