All this was an amazing experience for Samuel. A few hours ago he had been a voice crying in the wilderness; forlorn and solitary; and now here was a band of allies, sprung up suddenly, from the very ground, as it seemed. Men who knew exactly what was wanted, and exactly how to get it; who required no persuading, who set to work without wasting a word—just as if they had been doing such things all their lives! He was so swept away with delight that for a while he was tempted to forget what sort of people they were.
But it came back to him suddenly, when they had returned to Everley's office. He sat gazing at the young lawyer with such a worried expression on his face that the other asked, “What's the matter?”
“Tell me, Mr. Everley,” said the boy, “how can the Bartons believe in free love?”
“Believe in free love?” echoed Everley. “What put that into your head?”
“But don't they believe in free love?” persisted Samuel.
“Why, of course not. Who said they did?”
“But they are Socialists!”
And the other put down his work and laughed heartily. “Where did you pick that up?” he asked.
“Why,” stammered the boy, “I've read everywhere that Socialists believe in free love!”
“Wait till you get well going in this reform of yours!” laughed the young lawyer, “and then see what you read about yourself!”