"If all the world riz up and told me as Jinnie was bad," argued honest Alec, with animation, "would I believe them? If every darned thing seemed suddent agen her, would I 'spect th' old woman? When the Lord seemed to 'a forgotten me, as when He took our only child—God rest his soul!—would I hold from believin' on Him? All can stick when all is spic and spankin'. Love wants no lamin' and logic. It sticks to its man, and its God, coz, in its in'ard heart, it knows Him and trusts Him. To my dying day," continued Alec, with energy, "I'll believe in the doctor, whatever fair-weather friends may say. And look ye here, Dick Malduke, don't you be tellin' none on your wicked lies in my hearin', or, sure's my name's McDowl, I'll see if there ben't enow strength left in this 'ere arm of mine to ram the lie down your wicked throat."
The law took another view. Probate was granted, and Elms assumed entire control. Kokiana and the allied estates, together with the remainder of the Station, were adjudged not to be included in the property assigned to Elms under the name of "Courtenay's Village."
The Sergeant called a meeting, and delivered what he considered a rallying speech. He was a friend of theirs, he said; had suggested the undertaking to the doctor.
"Curses on you for it!" interjected one of the company. "Were there no workhouses in town, that you must bring us out here to be starved and robbed in the wilderness?"
"Hitherto," continued the Sergeant, "you have pursued a wrong course. You have merely modified Individualism. I propose to sweep it all away, to set up a pure Communism. But I shall act fairly by all if they are worthy."
"Who's to decide that?" asked one.
