II
In all the activities and triumphs of the Good Citizens'
League Babbitt took part, and completely won back to self-respect,
placidity, and the affection of his friends. But he
began to protest, "Gosh, I've done my share in cleaning up
the city. I want to tend to business. Think I'll just kind of
slacken up on this G.C.L. stuff now.''
He had returned to the church as he had returned to the
Boosters' Club. He had even endured the lavish greeting
which Sheldon Smeeth gave him. He was worried lest during
his late discontent he had imperiled his salvation. He was
not quite sure there was a Heaven to be attained, but Dr.
John Jennison Drew said there was, and Babbitt was not
going to take a chance.
One evening when he was walking past Dr. Drew's parsonage
he impulsively went in and found the pastor in his study.
"Jus' minute—getting 'phone call,'' said Dr. Drew in
business-like tones, then, aggressively, to the telephone: " 'Lo—
'lo! This Berkey and Hannis? Reverend Drew speaking.
Where the dickens is the proof for next Sunday's calendar?
Huh? Y' ought to have it here. Well, I can't help it if they're
all sick! I got to have it to-night. Get an A.D.T.
boy and
shoot it up here quick.''
He turned, without slackening his briskness. "Well, Brother
Babbitt, what c'n I do for you?''
"I just wanted to ask— Tell you how it is, dominie: Here
a while ago I guess I got kind of slack. Took a few drinks
and so on. What I wanted to ask is: How is it if a fellow
cuts that all out and comes back to his senses? Does it sort
of, well, you might say, does it score against him in the long
run?''
The Reverend Dr. Drew was suddenly interested. "And, uh,
brother—the other things, too? Women?''
"No, practically, you might say, practically not at all.''
"Don't hesitate to tell me, brother! That's what I'm here
for. Been going on joy-rides? Squeezing girls in cars?'' The
reverend eyes glistened.
"No—no—''
"Well, I'll tell you. I've got a deputation from the Don't
Make Prohibition a Joke Association coming to see me in a
quarter of an hour, and one from the Anti-Birth-Control Union
at a quarter of ten.'' He busily glanced at his watch. "But
I can take five minutes off and pray with you. Kneel right
down by your chair, brother. Don't be ashamed to seek the
guidance of God.''
Babbitt's scalp itched and he longed to flee, but Dr. Drew
had already flopped down beside his desk-chair and his voice
had changed from rasping efficiency to an unctuous familiarity
with sin and with the Almighty. Babbitt also knelt, while
Drew gloated:
"O Lord, thou seest our brother here, who has been led
astray by manifold temptations. O Heavenly Father, make
his heart to be pure, as pure as a little child's. Oh, let him
know again the joy of a manly courage to abstain from evil—''
Sheldon Smeeth came frolicking into the study. At the
sight of the two men he smirked, forgivingly patted Babbitt
on the shoulder, and knelt beside him, his arm about him, while
he authorized Dr. Drew's imprecations with moans of "Yes,
Lord! Help our brother, Lord!''
Though he was trying to keep his eyes closed, Babbitt
squinted between his fingers and saw the pastor glance at his
watch as he concluded with a triumphant, "And let him never
be afraid to come to Us for counsel and tender care, and let
him know that the church can lead him as a little lamb.''
Dr. Drew sprang up, rolled his eyes in the general direction
of Heaven, chucked his watch into his pocket, and demanded,
"Has the deputation come yet, Sheldy?''
"Yep, right outside,'' Sheldy answered, with equal liveliness;
then, caressingly, to Babbitt, "Brother, if it would help, I'd
love to go into the next room and pray with you while Dr.
Drew is receiving the brothers from the Don't Make Prohibition
a Joke Association.''
"No—no thanks—can't take the time!'' yelped Babbitt,
rushing toward the door.
Thereafter he was often seen at the Chatham Road Presbyterian
Church, but it is recorded that he avoided shaking hands
with the pastor at the door.
