“I couldn’t think of it,” said he, thrusting his arm under the saddle and hoisting it on to his shoulder. “It would be unspeakably uncomfortable for you to hold, with the stirrups whacking you at every step.” “Then you shall put it on the horse’s neck in front of me, or I’ll hop down this instant. It’s bad enough to appropriate your horse without making you carry my saddle as well.” Seeing her so determined, he, with a slight show of reluctance, placed the saddle on the neck of his horse, who after a shake or two submitted to the burden, and so they eventually turned homewards. “I suppose you are not surprised that we settlers out here take considerable interest in your experiment in communism,” remarked the man as they walked along. “No doubt anything out of the common excites comment,” said Olive guardedly, “but I should not have thought you could be classed as a settler out here. I have seen a good many, and know the type.” She felt interested in the man and curious to know who he was, he seemed so utterly different from all those she had hitherto met. “I have lived here, nevertheless, for some years now. I have a farm on the north side of Big Cotton Wood Creek. My name is Cotterell. Have you ever heard it?” “No, I never heard the name, but then I’ve only been here a very short time, only two months. I—that is, we came in May,” said Olive blushing somewhat. The stranger smiled a winning smile and looked up at her face as he answered, “I see you have only just come, and come as a bride to Perfection City. It has a very suitable sound in that connection.” He again lifted his hat, and Olive blushed more vividly still. “The prairie does not seem a very hopeful place for experiments in perfection,” continued the stranger. “To my eyes it looks a most God-forsaken place, but under certain circumstances I should be disposed to modify that view.” “I think any place will do to try and live a good life in, and that is what is aimed at in our little Community,” said Olive, standing bravely to her defence. He was silent for a time and then spoke again. “Any place can be made better by the presence of a good woman, I think.” “We want to show how it is possible to banish some of the evil out of life,” said Olive, marshalling the expressions she had heard at the Academy with what skill she could. “With some it is only necessary to be what God made them in order to banish evil from their presence,” said he. “And we have a very noble woman as leader,” said Olive not quite sure of his meaning. “Ah, indeed! You praise her, that should count for much. There are very mixed reports about her character on the prairie. Many seem to dislike and distrust her.” “As for that I suppose there are mixed reports about us all,” observed Olive impartially. “Indeed there are. For instance, it is most confusing what people say concerning the extent to which you carry your communistic theories. Some assert that there is no limit and that you are logical.”