“I am not certain that it is more conceited to say what you think, than to think your thoughts in silence, and be consumed with a vast contempt for all the world. We are a conceited people too.” “I thought the English prided themselves on not being conceited,” said Olive. “We pride ourselves on showing no feeling of conceit and if possible on showing no feeling on any other subject either. If an Englishman’s heart were skinned, I think it would weigh up pretty much the same as an American’s. The difference lies in the tongue only.” “Is that so?” said Olive. “Yes, this morning, for instance, that man informed me that he was a better man than I, and that his country could lick mine. Well, in my heart I knew he was wrong on both points, and that the precise contrary was the fact. As far as essentials go, I think we were pretty equal in the contest of conceit.” “But you didn’t tell him what you thought,” remarked Olive. “No, that was the difference of tongue, not of heart,” replied Brother Green. “I didn’t know you were so severe in your criticisms and judgments. I wonder much what you really think of Perfection City,” said Olive, looking at him curiously. She had never particularly noticed him hitherto, and had not realized that he could have a store of knowledge of many things which lay far outside her experience. “I think Perfection City will do good,” said Brother Green with conviction. “Do you, and why?” asked Olive. “Any honest human effort to benefit the world and raise mankind does good,” said Brother Green. “But people have done such different things and all from a desire to do what seemed to them good,” objected Olive with feminine vagueness. “I consider they have done good if their purpose was single-hearted,” maintained Brother Green. “They didn’t succeed in doing what they aimed at very often, at all events,” observed Olive, “something quite different came out of their endeavours from what they had expected.” “Nevertheless, if they honestly tried, then that very trying was of itself good.” “Do you think Perfection City will do the good the Pioneers expect, or will something quite different come out of it too?” “I think Perfection City will be the means of teaching a valuable lesson,” said Brother Green cordially. “Do you think it is any use to try to change the world and its ideas?” “If anyone has a truth let him preach it fearlessly. Who can foretell the moment when the world will listen and when it is ready to profit by your example.”