"As food is the basis of all supply, many must be farmers. How shall this great industry be conducted ultimately? Can we allow individuals to work small farms? If so, who determines the kind of crop each farm shall raise? How much land will a man be required to work? "An Italian from the north of Italy can raise more on one acre than an Irishman can on ten--whose method shall be used, and whose capacity be taken for the standard? "How many hours shall constitute a day on the farm? Shall a farmhand get only a dollar a day and a bricklayer two? If so, where is the justice and equality of such an arrangement? "Can a farmer be allowed vacations? If so, must he ask permission where to go? If not, suppose he goes at seedtime or harvest, gets drunk, stays two weeks or two months, and destroys a year's crop? Who shall pay for this enormous damage, and how shall the penalty be enforced? "Suppose a poor manager spoils the crop on an immense tract of land, how can any adequate penalty be enforced? "Shall one general manager decide what kind of crops to raise on each piece of land or each manager decide for himself? Suppose they all raise hay----" "Then you'll have plenty to eat the balance of your life--you and all the other jackasses in the colony!" old Tom growled. A laugh rippled the crowd and the speaker paused in angry confusion. For the first time he lost his temper and stood glaring at his tormentors in silent rage. Norman whispered to Barbara: "Wolf has urged me for some time to suppress this meeting. Shall I do it?" "Yes. It's a nuisance. I agree with him. Do it." Norman rose just as Diggs sat down choking with anger. "Comrades," the young leader said, in commanding tones. "I think this assembly has completed its work of discussion. The questions propounded here to-night are important. We will meet and solve them in due time, as we come to them. What this community needs now is the spirit of cooperation, of loyalty, and industry. We have been assigned our tasks for the year. Now every man to his work! We have had enough of wrangling and questioning. Let's live and breathe awhile. The executive council has decided to close the weekly sessions of the assembly until the annual election of officers next spring. Hereafter a musicale and dance will be held both Monday and Friday evenings." The young folks broke into hearty applause led by old Tom and his partner Joe. The Bard sprang to his feet, his one good eye blazing with inspired wrath. "And I denounce this act of tyranny as the climax of a series of infamies! You have now forged the chains of slavery on every limb. Free speech has been suppressed--in God's name, what next?" But the crowd only laughed. The Bard had protested so often his words ceased to have weight. The halo of romance that once wreathed his classic brow had faded with the painful disillusioning which followed a thrashing his wife had given him. He was a prophet without honour and his warnings fell on deaf ears.