The basis of his claim is the fact that he is a man." "The fact that he is a man!" I repeated, incredulously.

"Do you possibly mean that all have the same share ?" "Most assuredly." The readers of this book never having practically known any other arrangement, or perhaps very carefully considered the historical accounts of former epochs in which a very different system prevailed, cannot be expected to appreciate the stupor of amazement into which Dr.
Leete's simple statement plunged me.
"You see," he said, smiling, "that it is not merely that we have no money to pay wages in, but, as I said, we have nothing at all answering to your idea of wages." By this time I had pulled myself together sufficiently to voice some of the criticisms which, man of the nineteenth century as I was, came uppermost in my mind, upon this to me astounding arrangement.

"Some men do twice the work of others!" I exclaimed.

"Are the clever workmen content with a plan that ranks them with the indifferent ?" "We leave no possible ground for any complaint of injustice," replied Dr.Leete, "by requiring precisely the same measure of service from all." "How can you do that, I should like to know, when no two men's powers are the same ?" "Nothing could be simpler," was Dr.Leete's reply.

"We require of each that he shall make the same effort; that is, we demand of him the best service it is in his power to give." "And supposing all do the best they can," I answered, "the amount of the product resulting is twice greater from one man than from another." "Very true," replied Dr.Leete; "but the amount of the resulting product has nothing whatever to do with the question, which is one of desert.