True Grit

by Charles Portis

PEOPLE DO not give it credence that a fourteen-year-old girl could leave home and go off in the wintertime to avenge her father’s blood

I said, “Where can I find this Rooster?”

“Earlier tonight I gave some thought to stealing a kiss from you, though you are very young, and sick and unattractive to boot, but now I am of a mind to give you five or six good licks with my belt.” “One would be as unpleasant as the other,” I replied.

Knowing the Gospel and preaching it are two different things.

He is not a man I should care to share a bed with.” “No more would I.”

Put your switch away, LaBoeuf. She has got the best of us.”

Rooster said, “Yes, this is the famous horse killer from El Paso, Texas. His idea is to put everybody on foot. He says it will limit their mischief.”

“I call that bold talk for a one-eyed fat man!”