College students -- Fiction; Murder -- Fiction; Murderers -- Fiction
Then, towards the end of the first year, the Cambridge Christian Union
flung out its net and caught him. His attempt at personal popularity had
failed here as thoroughly as it had failed at school--now for his soul.
He found that the gentlemen of his college who were members of the
Christian Union were eager for his company. They did not laugh at his
conversation nor mock his proffered hospitalities. They talked to him,
persuaded him that his soul was in jeopardy, and carried him off during
part of the Long Vacation to the Norfolk Broads, where prayer-meetings,
collisions with other sea-faring craft, and tinned meats were the order
of the day.
Olva had watched him with that amused incredulity that he so frequently
bestowed upon his fellow-creatures. How was this kind of animal, with
its cowardice, its stupidity, its ugliness, its uselessness, possible?
He had never spoken to Bunning, although he had once received a
note from him asking him to coffee--a piece of very considerable
impertinence. He had never assisted Carfax and Cards in their raiding
expeditions, but that was only because he considered such things
tiresome and childish.
And now, behold, there in his doorway--incredible vision!--was the
creature--at this moment of--all others!
"Come in," said Olva again.
Bunning brought his large quivering body into the room and stood there,
turning his cap round and round in his hands.
"Oh, I say---" and there he stopped.
"Won't you sit down?"
"No--thanks--I----"
"In what way can I be of use to you?"
"Oh! I say---"
Senseless giggles, and then Bunning's mouth opened and remained open.
His eyes stared at Dune.
"Well, what is it?"
"Oh--my word--you know---"
"Look here," said Olva quietly, "if you don't get on and tell me what
you want I shall do you some bodily damage. I've got work to do. Another
time, perhaps, when I am less busy----"
Bunning was nearly in tears. "Oh, yes, I know--it's most awful
cheek--I----"
There was a desperate silence and then he plunged out with--"Well,
you know, I--that is--we-I--sort of wondered whether, you know, you'd
care--not if you're awfully busy of course--but whether you'd care
to come and hear Med. Tetloe preach to-night. I know it's most awful
cheek----" He was nearly in tears.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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