ey 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.

Olva kept an amazed silence. Life! What an amusing thing!--that he, with
his foot on the edge of disaster, death, should be invited by Bunning to
a revival meeting. He understood it, of course. Bunning had been sent,
as an ardent missionary is sent into the heart of West Africa, to invite
Olva to consider his soul. He was expecting, poor creature, to be kicked
violently down the twisting wooden stairs. On another occasion he would
be sent to Lawrence or Cardillac, and then his expectations would be
most certainly fulfilled. But it was for the cause--at least these
sinners sh