(Going to, by thunder! Tonight!)
My heav’n, my home for evermore.
(Wonder if she’ll come down-stairs in a wrapper?)
“I just wish I knew,” said the wife of one of the deacons, a sentimental and lively lady, “what you were thinking of while we sang, Brother Gantry?”
“Why—I was thinking how happy we’ll all be when we are purified and at rest in Beulah Land.”
“My, I knew it was something religious—you sang so sorta happy and inspired. Well! We must be going. It’s been such a lovely evening, Sister Bains. We just don’t know how to thank you and Brother Bains, yes, and Brother Gantry, too, for such a fine time. Oh, and Brother Shallard, of course. Come, Charley.”
Charley, as well as the other deacons, had vanished into the kitchen after Brother Bains. There was a hollow noise, as of a jug mouth, while the ladies and the clergy talked loudly and looked tolerant. The men appeared at the door wiping their mouths with the hairy backs of their paws.
VIII
After the tremendous leave-taking, to a yawning host Elmer suggested, “If it won’t bother you and Sister Bains, I’m going to stay down here by the fire a few minutes and complete my notes for my sermon tomorrow. And then I won’t keep Brother Shallard awake.”
“Fine, fine—eaaaaah—’scuse me—so sleepy. The house is yours, my boy—Brother. G’night.”