Part 38: Why are sermons boring?

Twice Styles saw Penelope, and her sermons infinitely bored him.

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Chief Inspector Dobbs explained to Penelope that if he could use her assistance, he would let her know. Then he got off in a hurry.

“If I can only expiate-“

Striding away from Penelope’s house, Chief Inspector Dobbs wailed over his shoulder. “No need. Don’t get your knickers in a twist!”

Later that evening, as Penelope traipsed to the All Saints meeting, dozens of people peeked at her and murmured that it was her sister who had robbed Mr Styles. She bowed her head with the shame.

At the meeting, she took Olive’s sin on herself and prayed the police would catch Olive and that she would receive the blessed healing of punishment. Her brethren begged Penelope not to feel that she was guilty-was she not a member of the All Saints flock? In this wicked and perverse generation, God assured them alone of salvation?

On Thursday lunchtime, Saturday morning, Tuesday evening, and Friday afternoon, Penelope called on Mr Styles and Chief Inspector Dobbs. Twice Styles saw her, and her sermons infinitely bored him. The third time he sent word that he was out. The fourth time Penelope visited, he curtly explained that if she wanted to serve them, the best she could do was to stay away.

Chief Inspector Dobbs was “out” all four times.

Penelope smiled meekly and stopped trying to help them. Dust gathered on certain encyclopedias on the lower shelf of her bookcase, except for one of them, which she took out now and then. She extracted two hundred pounds a week, but even that trivial sum was more than an ascetic like Penelope needed.
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By day, Penelope sometimes spent her cash at The Stables post office and convenience store. But usually, as had been her custom, she spent the money at her favourite grocery store in Chipwick when Bert gave her a lift in the evening.

To be continued… 
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Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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