Nothing is worn that is not simple and honest in texture; we do
not know whether a thing is cheap or dear, except as it is easy or hard to
come by, and that which is hard to come by is forbidden as wasteful and
foolish. The community builds the dwellings of the community, and these,
too, are of a classic simplicity, though always beautiful and fit in form;
the splendors of the arts are lavished upon the public edifices, which we
all enjoy in common."
"Isn't this the greatest rehash of 'Utopia,' 'New Atlantis,' and 'City of
the Sun' that you ever imagined?" the professor whispered across me to the
banker. "The man is a fraud, and a very bungling fraud at that."
"Well, you must expose him, when he gets through," the banker whispered
back.
But the professor could not wait. He got upon his feet and called out:
"May I ask the gentleman from Altruria a question?"
"Certainly," the Altrurian blandly assented.
"Make it short!" Reuben Camp's voice broke in, impatiently. "We didn't
come here to listen to your questions."
The professor contemptuously ignored him. "I suppose you occasionally
receive emissaries from, as well as send them to, the world outside?"
"Yes, now and then castaways land on our coasts, and ships out of their
reckonings put in at our ports for water or provision.
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