“That can not be expressed in round figures. It varies. As I said before, I think our prices average about four per cent. below those of the competitive stores, largely because they must spend money to attract trade which we hold through our membership. The housewife who takes home her goods saves an additional five per cent. The member who attends our Saturday evening sales saves a little more. And, finally, stockholders get back money in these two ways:
“First, regular interest on their investment of not more than six per cent.; second, gains or profits which the store has made, redistributed every quarter at the rate of five per cent. on the amount of purchases recorded on duplicate sales slips.”
“Then it is a success, your store and your society?” asked Mrs. Norton. “And the women believe in it and support it?”
“They certainly do. They have the true cooperative spirit.”
“And what of your cooperative kitchen and your housemaids’ school, and——”
“Those? Oh, they are another story! The cooperative kitchen is managed by a different society, and the school for housemaids by the Housewives’ League.”
“Shall we see them?” inquired Mrs. Moore, as the quartet walked down the sun-bright street.
“Yes, let us make a day of it in this remarkable community with its cooperative spirit, even if, as Mr. Dyal says, it is another story.”
CHAPTER VI
“High prices do not necessarily mean high living.”—H. C. OF L. PROVERB NO. 6.