, maintain them by force. It has no place under modern
civilization."

"Except that someone must do it, and it's about the only household
responsibility man has not been able to evade," said Mrs. Transley.

As they entered the dining-room Zen's mother, whiter and it seemed
even more distinguished by the years, joined them, accompanied by Mrs.
Squiggs, a thin woman much concerned about social status, and the party
was complete.

Transley managed the carving more skilfully than his protest might have
suggested, and there was a lull in the conversation while the first
demands of appetite were being satisfied.

"Tell us about your settlement scheme, Mr. Grant," Mrs. Transley
urged when it seemed necessary to find a topic. "Mr. Grant has quite a
wonderful plan."

"Yes, wise us up, old man," said Transley. "I've heard something of it,
but never could see through it."

"It's all very simple," Grant explained. "I am providing the capital to
start a few families on farms. Instead of lending the money directly to
them I am financing a company in which each farmer must subscribe for
stock to the value of the land he is to occupy. His stock he will pay
for with a part of the proceeds of each year's crop, until it is paid in
full, when he becomes a paid-up shareholder, subject to no further call
except a levy which may be made for running expenses."

"And then your advances are returned to you with interest," Squiggs
suggested. "A very creditable plan of benefaction; very creditable,
indeed."

"No, that is not the idea. In the first place, I am accepting no
interest on my advances, and in the second place the money, when repaid
by the shareholders, will not be returned to me, but will be used to
establish another colony on the same basis, and so on--the movement will
be extended from group to group."

Mr. Squiggs readjusted his large round tortoise-shell glasses.

"Do I understand that you are charging no interest?"

"Not a cent."

"Then where do YOU come in?"

"I had hoped to make it clear that I am not seeking to 'come in.' You
see, the money I am doing this with is not really mine at all."

"Not yours?" cried a chorus of voices.

"No. Mr. Squiggs, you are a lawyer, and therefore a man of perspicuity
and accurate definitions. What is money?"

"You flatter me. I should say that money is a medium for the exchange of
value."

"Very well. Therefore, if a man accepts money without giving value for
it in exchange