I found what he told me very wonderful."
"What did he tell you?"
"Well, he explained to me how it was I was out of a job. There are too
many people in the world, it seems, and I was one of the unfit. I had
failed in the struggle for existence, and so I had to be exterminated,
he said."
"The devil he did!" exclaimed the stranger.
Samuel wished that the young man would not use so many improper words;
but he presumed that was one of the privileges of the successful. "I
was very grateful to him," he went on, "because, you see, I hadn't
understood what it meant. But when I realized it was for the good of
the race, then I didn't mind any more."
His companion stole a glance at him out of the corner of his eye.
"Gee!" he said.
"I had quite an argument with him. I wanted him to see that he ought
to teach the people. There are thousands of people starving here in
Lockmanville; and would you want to starve without knowing the
reason?"
"No," said the other, "I don't think I should." And again he looked at
his companion.
But the conversation was interrupted there. For some time they had
been passing the place with the ten-foot iron railing; and now they
came to the great stone entrance with the name "Fairview" carved upon
it. To Samuel's surprise they turned in.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Home," said the other.
And Samuel started.
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