Suddenly he sat up, looked suspiciously over at the
silenced Jim,looked suspiciously at Heaven. Could he be a traitor to them, could he
resist the current of theirunited belief and longing?
Elmer forlornly began to cross out the lovely
scrawls he had madein his note-book.
Dont forget, Brother Fislinger, that the devil can
quoteScripture to his purpose.
You know Ive only been up here at the college once
before.
Say, is it really truehes under conviction of sin?
Hedrowsed through page on page of Ingersolls rhetoric and jesting.
Jim spoke abruptly:You son of a
sea-cook!
Are you going to let me go awaymiserable and
beaten, old man? And he just couldnt stand it if he didntbecome a friend of
yours.
Mighty proud to have you let me come butting inhere
in this informal way.
Cozily, Cant I run up and see my two boys if I want
to, Elmy?
I never heard a betterexhibition of bunco-steering
in my life. Fellow thatcouldnt believe the Bible, least he could do was not to
disturbthe faith of others. Whatd she thinkif she ever saw him with
Juanita?
He was unable to pump up evenone good
sneer.
Jim shied a thin book at him, and sank again into
infidel sleep.
He tried to remember the sermons he had
heard.
And I dont require anyJames Blaine Lefferts to tell
me, neither! His mother was wringing his hand, begging, Oh, wont you come? Elmer had
a playful custom of squeezing peoples hands till theycracked. Seehow were all
longing for you, praying for you! It was all inspired, everyword, no matter what
scoffers like Jim said. Roberts turned to Elmer again, and gloated:Well, old son,
Ive been hearing a lot about you.
It was a selection from the writings ofRobert
G.
He threw the last of his emotional reserve into a
ringing, You betI will, Ma! He was among them, Judson Roberts, with his arms held
out, hisvoice a bugle.
Oh, brother, brother, now Iunderstand why Jimmy
here, and poor Elmer, are lost to the faith! He had only to bring Jim also to Jesus,
then all of themwould be together in beatitude!