He had notions of catching the last train to Cato
and gettingsolacingly drunk.
He tiptoed in, his tremendous feetsqueaking. Now
thats what I wanted to explain about Love, and heres how itapplies.
Dont hurt even a preacher to face himself! Fat
nerve of Jimto suggest his pinching anything from Ingersoll! I really did repent all
thesedarn fool sins. Eddie crowded up on the other side andnuzzled against him.
Therewas a light on the washstand beside Jims bed, but it was a smallkerosene lamp
turned low. Oh, let thy blood thatwas shed for me be my salvation! Jim answered, No,
thanks, and those were his only words thatmorning. Young Gantry seemed to feel an
unmistakable divinecall.
It was all, the Mithraic phrasing, as familiar as
Good morning orHow are you? It shines upon the cradle of the babe, and shedsits
radiance upon the quiet tomb. Jim wassleeping, with a snore like the snarl of a
leopard.
Sometimes I wonder if wevegiven up so
much.
The ex-minister dean of the college urged
him.
Was I, he wondered, just a plain damn
fool?
Elmer blundered out into the fresh clean air. The
Lord will give the words if you give the good will!
Are you going to slap me and defile me and hurt me?
It shines upon the cradle of the babe, and shedsits radiance upon the quiet tomb.
Whydont you pinch your first sermon from the heathen? Nothing I haveever done has
been right, because it didnt lead to the way and thetruth! Heforgot his woes by
drugging himself with heedless reading. What glory for Old Terwillinger and all the
shrines ofGritzmacher Springs! Whydont you pinch your first sermon from the
heathen?
Was I, he wondered, just a plain damn fool? He was
master of the world, and only a very little bit drunk.
Fat nerve of Jimto suggest his pinching anything
from Ingersoll! Heforgot his woes by drugging himself with heedless
reading.
It is the mother of Art,inspirer of poet, patriot
and philosopher.