millions--that
is, the majority.'

'We ain't sich bloody fools as to think that the largest number is the
minority,' interrupted Crass.

'The greater number of the people represented by the large black square
work for their living: and in return for their labour they receive
money: some more, some less than others.'

'You don't think they'd be sich bloody fools as to work for nothing, do
you?' said Newman.

'I suppose you think they ought all to get the same wages!' cried
Harlow. 'Do you think it's right that a scavenger should get as much
as a painter?'

'I'm not speaking about that at all,' replied Owen. 'I'm trying to
show you what I think is one of the causes of poverty.'

'Shut up, can't you, Harlow,' remonstrated Philpot, who began to feel
interested. 'We can't all talk at once.'

'I know we can't,' replied Harlow in an aggrieved tone: 'but 'e takes
sich a 'ell of a time to say wot 'e's got to say. Nobody else can't
get a word in edgeways.'

'In order that these people may live,' continued Owen, pointing to the
large black square, 'it is first necessary that they shall have a PLACE
to live in--'

'Well! I should never a thought it!' exclaimed the man on the pail,
pretending to be much impressed. The others laughed, and two or three
of them went out of the room, contemptuously remarking to each other in
an audible undertone as they went:

'Bloody rot!'

'Wonder wot the bloody 'ell 'e thinks 'e is? A sort of schoolmaster?'

Owen's nervousness increased as he continued:

'Now, they can't live in the air or in the sea. These people are land
animals, therefore they must live on the land.'

'Wot do yer mean by animals?' demanded Slyme.

'A human bean ain't a animal!' said Crass indignantly.

'Yes, we are!' cried Harlow. 'Go into any chemist's shop you like and
ask the bloke, and 'e'll tell you--'

'Oh, blow that!' interrupted Philpot. 'Let's 'ear wot Owen's sayin'.'

'They must live on the land: and that's the beginning of the trouble;
because--under the present system--the majority of the people have
really no right to be in the country at all! Under the present system
the country belongs to a few--those who are here represented by this
small black square. If it would pay them to do so, and if they felt so
disposed, these few people have a perfect right--under the present
system--to order everyone else to clear out!

'But they don't do that, they allow the majority to remain in the