ystem of education. And I'm a proof of it."

"You have relations in London, I suppose?" Mr. Hethcote proceeded.

For the first time the face of Amelius showed a shadow of sadness on it.

"I have relations," he said. "But I have promised never to claim their
hospitality. 'They are hard and worldly; and they will make you hard
and worldly, too.' That's what my father said to me on his deathbed."
He took off his hat when he mentioned his father's death, and came to a
sudden pause--with his head bent down, like a man absorbed in thought.
In less than a minute he put on his hat again, and looked up with his
bright winning smile. "We say a little prayer for the loved ones who
are gone, when we speak of them," he explained. "But we don't say it out
loud, for fear of seeming to parade our religious convictions. We hate
cant in our Community."

"I cordially agree with the Community, Amelius. But, my good fellow,
have you really no friend to welcome you when you get to London?"

Amelius answered the question mysteriously. "Wait a little!" he
said--and took a letter from the breast-pocket of his coat. Mr.
Hethcote, watching him, observed that he looked at the address with
unfeigned pride and pleasure.

"One of our brethren at the Community has given me this," he announced.
"It's a letter of introduction, sir, to a remarkable man--a man who is
an example to all the rest of us. He has risen, by dint of integrity and
perseverance, from the position of a poor porter in a shop to be one of
the most respected mercantile characters in the City of London."

With this explanation, Amelius handed his letter to Mr. Hethcote. It was
addressed as follows:--

To John Farnaby, Esquire,
Messrs. Ronald & Farnaby,
Stationers,
Aldersgate Street, London.

CHAPTER 2

Mr. Hethcote looked at the address on the letter with an expression of
surprise, which did not escape the notice of Amelius. "Do you know Mr.
Farnaby?" he asked.

"I have some acquaintance with him," was the answer, given with a
certain appearance of constraint.

Amelius went on eagerly with his questions. "What sort of man is he? Do
you think he will be prejudiced against me, because I have been brought
up in Tadmor?"

"I must be a little better acquainted, Amelius, with you and Tadmor
before I can answer your question. Suppose you tell me how you became
one of the Socialists, to begin with?"

"I was only a little boy, Mr. Hethco