They were so much interested and excited that they begged their
visitors to remain to luncheon. They talked the whole problem out, and
Samuel was struck by the certainty with which their minds took hold of
it. There was no need of any long explanations with them--they seemed
to know just what to expect; it was as if they possessed some magic
key to the inner life of Lockmanville, enabling them to understand
everyone in it, and exactly how he felt and exactly how he would act
under any given circumstances.
All this was an amazing experience for Samuel. A few hours ago he had
been a voice crying in the wilderness; forlorn and solitary; and now
here was a band of allies, sprung up suddenly, from the very ground,
as it seemed. Men who knew exactly what was wanted, and exactly how to
get it; who required no persuading, who set to work without wasting a
word--just as if they had been doing such things all their lives! He
was so swept away with delight that for a while he was tempted to
forget what sort of people they were.
But it came back to him suddenly, when they had returned to Everley's
office. He sat gazing at the young lawyer with such a worried
expression on his face that the other asked, "What's the matter?"
Tell me, Mr. Everley," said the boy, "how can the Bartons believe in
free love?"
"Believe in free love?" echoed Everley. "What put that into your
head?"
"But don't they believe in free love?" persisted Samuel.
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