“The thought occurred to her that God made her daddy's shoulders broad and strong so he could hold up the burdens of others.”

“Ollie though how her daddy once said sometimes people do things out of ignorance more than meanness. That's what Ollie took this woman to be - ignorant of God's love more than mean-spirited towards others.”

“Be careful when you listen to people called they, Olivene, her daddy said. They often tell lies.”

“And put your shirt back on, why don't you?" she said over her shoulder. "Remember, I'm a lady.""If'n you call twelve a lady," Jimmy said, full of chuckles."You're a regular comedian, Jimmy Koppel. Downright hilarious.”

“No. You, your sisters, and your daddy are the best things I have. That, Ollie, was just a plate.”

“A child, she knew has, no choice where God will send it.”

“Martha always kept count and always figured the score in Ollie's favor. Poor Martha, thought Ollie, forever counting and never satisfied.”