"That's what being a man is all about, boy. It's just doing what's got to be done." (139)

"Somehow, the Good Lord don't want to see no man start a cold morning with just black coffee." (27)

"Thanks be praised all the history I need's in our Family Bible tucked away under the bed in the Bible Box. And in the Book of Shaker." (35)

"We are Plain People, your mother and aunt, and your sisters, you and me. We live the Book of Shaker. We are not worldly people, and we suffer the less for not paining with worldly wants and wishes." (37)

"We hear all the music that's in the wind, so much music that it itches my foot to start tapping. Just like a fiddle." (37)

"'All he needs . . . is a tutor,' said Aunt Mattie . . . I sure knew what a 'tooter' was. Its real name was a cornet, and...