VIII + 

Elmer considered, “Well, I’ve given those poor old birds some cheerfulness to go on with. By golly, there’s nothing more important than to give people some happiness and faith to cheer them along life’s dark pathway.” + 

He was passing the veranda café. At a pale green table was a man who sat next to Elmer in the dining salon. With him were three men unknown, and each had a whisky-and-soda in front of him. + 

“Well, I see you’re keeping your strength up!” Elmer said forgivingly. + 

“Sure, you betcha,” said his friend of the salon. “Don’t you wanta sit down and have a jolt with us?” + 

Elmer sat, and when the steward stood at ruddy British attention, he gave voice: + 

“Well, of course, being a preacher, I’m not a big husky athalete like you boys, so all I can stand is just a ginger ale.” To the steward: “Do you keep anything like that, buddy, or have you only got hooch for big strong men?” + 

When Elmer explained to the purser that he would be willing to act as chairman of the concert, with the most perspiratory regret the purser said that the Rt. Hon. Lionel Smith had, unfortunately, already been invited to take the chair. + 