“Celestina Giuliani learned the word "slander" at her cousin's baptism.”
“You cannot slander human nature; it is worse than words can paint it.”
“Her wrinkles were like slander. Her voice was akin to a beating with a stick.”
“Use the right word, not its second cousin.”
“She looked like she wanted to take her right up to the baptismal waters and introduce her to some redemption.”
“Then he gave her a kiss on the forehead that felt like a baptism and she wept like a baby.”