well believe
there's no catch in it. They say it doesn't look reasonable, and I tell
them no more it is."

"And then they buy it?"

"Aye, they do. That's human nature. There's as many members booked now
as can be accommodated in the first colony. I suppose they reason that
they will be sure of their winter's housing, anyway."

"You don't seem to have much faith in human nature, Murdoch."

"Nor have I. Not in that kind of human nature which is always wanting
something for nothing."

Linder's report was more cheerful. The houses and barns were built and
were now being painted, the plowing was done, and the fences were being
run. By the use of a triangular system of survey twelve farm homes had
been centralized in one little community where a community building
would be erected which would be used as a school in daytime, a
motion-picture house at night, and a church on Sunday. A community
secretary would have his office here, and would have charge of a select
little library of fiction, poetry, biography, and works of reference.
The leading periodicals dealing with farm problems, sociology, and
economics, as well as lighter subjects, would be on file. In connection
with this building would be an assembly-room suitable for dances,
social events, and theatricals, and equipped with a player piano and
concert-size talking machine. Arrangements were being made for a weekly
exchange of records, for a weekly musical evening by artists from
the city, for a semi-monthly vaudeville show, and for Sunday meetings
addressed by the best speakers on the more serious topics of the time.

"What has surprised me in making these arrangements," Linder confessed,
"is the comparatively small outlay they involve. The building will cost
no more than many communities spend on school and church which they use
thirty hours a week and three hours a week respectively. This one can be
used one hundred and sixty-eight hours a week, if needed. Lecturers on
many subjects can be had for paying their expenses; in some cases they
are employed by the Government, and will come without cost. Amateur
theatrical companies from the city will be glad to come in return for
an appreciative audience and a dance afterward, with a good fill-up on
solid farm cooking. Even some of the professionals can be had on these
terms. Of course, before long we will produce our own theatricals.

"Then there is to be a plunge bath big enough to swim in, open to men
and women a