n.

As soon as it became generally known that this work was about to be
started there was sure to be a rush for it, and it would be a case of
first come, first served. If he saw Jack tonight the old man might be
in time to secure a job.

Owen hesitated: he was wet through: it was a long way to Linden's
place, nearly twenty minutes' walk. Still, he would like to let him
know, because unless he was one of the first to apply, Linden would not
stand such a good chance as a younger man. Owen said to himself that
if he walked very fast there was not much risk of catching cold.
Standing about in wet clothes might be dangerous, but so long as one
kept moving it was all right.

He turned back and set off in the direction of Linden's house: although
he was but a few yards from his own home, he decided not to go in
because his wife would be sure to try to persuade him not to go out
again.

As he hurried along he presently noticed a small dark object on the
doorstep of an untenanted house. He stopped to examine it more closely
and perceived that it was a small black kitten. The tiny creature came
towards him and began walking about his feet, looking into his face and
crying piteously. He stooped down and stroked it, shuddering as his
hands came in contact with its emaciated body. Its fur was saturated
with rain and every joint of its backbone was distinctly perceptible to
the touch. As he caressed it, the starving creature mewed pathetically.

Owen decided to take it home to the boy, and as he picked it up and put
it inside his coat the little outcast began to purr.

This incident served to turn his thoughts into another channel. If,
as so many people pretended to believe, there was an infinitely loving
God, how was it that this helpless creature that He had made was
condemned to suffer? It had never done any harm, and was in no sense
responsible for the fact that it existed. Was God unaware of the
miseries of His creatures? If so, then He was not all-knowing. Was
God aware of their sufferings, but unable to help them? Then He was
not all-powerful. Had He the power but not the will to make His
creatures happy? Then He was not good. No; it was impossible to
believe in the existence of an individual, infinite God.. In fact, no
one did so believe; and least of all those who pretended for various
reasons to be the disciples and followers of Christ. The anti-Christs
who went about singing hymns, making long pr