Neither the French nor German Socialists attempted to base their systems on the lowest class, as you design." "I know," said Knowles.

"That accounts for their partial success." "Let me understand your plan practically," eagerly demanded her father.
She thought Knowles evaded the question,--wished to leave the subject.
Perhaps he did not regard the poor old school-master as a practical judge of practical matters.

All his life he had called him thriftless and unready.
"It never will do, Knowles," he went on in his slow way.

"Any plan, Phalanstery or Community, call it what you please, founded on self government, is based on a sham, the tawdriest of shams." The old school-master shook his head as one who knows, and tried to push the thin gray hairs out of his eyes in a groping way.

Margret lifted them back, so quietly that he did not feel her.
"You'll call the Republic a sham next!" said the Doctor, coolly aggravating.
"The Republic!" The old man quickened his tone, like a war-horse scenting the battle near at hand.