“No,” said the other. “My father thought the world of Old Stew,” he added; “but he used to bore the life out of me. How'd you find him?”
“Well,” answered Samuel, “you see, I haven't had any of your advantages. I found what he told me very wonderful.”
“What did he tell you?”
“Well, he explained to me how it was I was out of a job. There are too many people in the world, it seems, and I was one of the unfit. I had failed in the struggle for existence, and so I had to be exterminated, he said.”
“The devil he did!” exclaimed the stranger.
Samuel wished that the young man would not use so many improper words; but he presumed that was one of the privileges of the successful. “I was very grateful to him,” he went on, “because, you see, I hadn't understood what it meant. But when I realized it was for the good of the race, then I didn't mind any more.”
His companion stole a glance at him out of the corner of his eye. “Gee!” he said.
“I had quite an argument with him. I wanted him to see that he ought to teach the people. There are thousands of people starving here in Lockmanville; and would you want to starve without knowing the reason?”
“No,” said the other, “I don't think I should.” And again he looked at his companion.
But the conversation was interrupted there. For some time they had been passing the place with the ten-foot iron railing; and now they came to the great stone entrance with the name “Fairview” carved upon it. To Samuel's surprise they turned in.