the Kayooska Association. But he felt now their diffident tenderness, their unlettered fervor—these poverty-twisted parsons who believed, patient in their bare and baking tabernacles, that they were saving the world, and who wistfully welcomed the youths that they themselves had been.
For the first time in weeks Elmer prayed not as an exhibition but sincerely, passionately, savoring righteousness:
"Dear God—I'll get down to it—not show off but just think of thee—do good—God help me!"
Coolness fluttered the heavy dust-caked leaves, and as the sighing crowd creaked up from their benches, Elmer Gantry stood confident . . . ordained minister of the gospel.
