Fergimme, O Gawd, if it makes Thou mad fer to be prayed to by a sneakin'
boiglar, but help me t'roo dis one job and I'll go straight from now on,
so help me. Don't let dis guy find me crackin' his safe, so's I won't
have to kill 'im. Help me make a clean getaway and I'll toin over a noo
leaf, I will. I'll send money to me mudder, and I'll go to choich
reg'lar and I'll never do nuttin' crooked again. On'y dis one time, O
Gawd.
* * * * *
God closed His eyes and smiled the sorrowful smile of the All-knowing,
the All-pitying, the Unknown, the Unpitied, and He said to Him who sat
at His side:
"They call these Prayers! They will wonder why I have not finished the
tasks they set Me nor accepted the bribes they offered. And to-morrow
they will rebuke Me as a faithless, indolent servant who has
disobeyed!"