"
"Just as _we_ do when we go to heaven," I suggested; the banker did not
answer, and I instantly felt that in the presence of the minister my
remark was out of taste.
"Well, then, don't you think," said Mrs. Makely, who had a leathery
insensibility to everything but the purpose possessing her, "that we ought
at least to go and say something to him personally?"
"Yes, I think we ought," said the banker, and we all walked up to where
the Altrurian stood, still thickly surrounded by the lower classes, who
were shaking hands with him and getting in a word with him now and then.
One of the construction gang said, carelessly: "No all-rail route to
Altruria, I suppose?"
"No," answered Homos, "it's a far sea voyage."
"Well, I shouldn't mind working my passage, if you think they'd let me
stay after I got there."
"Ah, you mustn't go to Altruria. You must let Altruria come to _you_"
returned Homos, with that confounded smile of his that always won my
heart.
"Yes," shouted Reuben Camp, whose thin face was red with excitement,
"that's the word. Have Altruria right here, and right now."
The old farmer, who had several times spoken, cackled out: "I didn't know,
one while, when you was talk'n' about not havin' no money, but what some
on us had had Altrury here for quite a spell, already.
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