But these changes were not made without provoking fierce debates and bitter prophecies in the general assembly over which Norman presided every Friday night.
He began to listen to these endless wrangles2, however, with a sense of growing anger. It became clearer each week that they were the source of cliques3 and factions4, of plots and counter-plots, within the colony. His patience reached the limit on the night he announced the completion of the jail.
"This is a sad present I am forced to make you to-night, comrades," he said, with a note of weariness in his voice. "But I have no choice in the matter. It was forced on the executive council. Crimes were committed which threatened the existence of our society. We had to meet the issue squarely. We could have begged [213]the question by calling in the authorities of the State of California, acknowledged our defeat, and surrendered. We are not ready to surrender. We haven't begun to fight yet."
He had scarcely taken his seat when Diggs, the human interrogation-point, slowly unwound his lank5 figure, adjusted his eye-glasses, and gazed smilingly at the chairman.
Norman squirmed with rage as the glint of light from Diggs's big lenses began to irritate his spirit.
Barbara slipped her little hand under the table and found his. He clasped it gratefully and refused to let go. She allowed him to hold it a minute and drew it away laughing.
"Comrades," the man of questions slowly began, "we are making rapid progress. Our new building will soon be finished and another colony of two thousand enthusiastic souls will be added to our commonwealth6. If we are going to successfully carry on this work we must begin to develop with infinite patience the details of this larger life.
"I submit to you some questions that are profoundly interesting to me.
"How are we to prevent speculation7, wages being unequal? How is one community to exchange products with another? How [214]determine which line of goods each community shall make?
"What is to be done with a strong minority who are bitterly opposed to the action of the majority when we assume our permanent democratic form?
"How are the thousand and one matters pertaining8 to private life and habits to be settled without continually augmenting9 the power of government? The authority of the most absolute despot who ever lived never dared to sit on questions we must decide. Can we do it?
"If we are ever to attain10 a condition of equality must we not forbid gifts and exchanges? For, if men are not to be allowed to grow rich by trading, must not the State forbid private exchanges of every nature?
"On the other hand, if the State alone can make exchanges, how can we prevent a shrewd man from getting rich by dealing11 with the State itself?
"If the State will not make exchanges, what is one to do who has taken a piece of property and finds later he has no use for it? For example: if Miss Blanche grows tired of looking at her piano, which she cannot play, and desires to exchange it for a carriage and pair of horses, must she continue to walk because she cannot effect the exchange?
Barbara.
Barbara.ToList
"If we solve these troubles by declaring all property in common, who shall decide the privilege [215]of use which the various tastes of individuals may demand?
"If each member be allowed a fixed12 number of units of value for each day of the year, must he spend them at once, or will the State keep an account for each individual? If he doesn't spend all his allowance by the end of the year can he save it and thus accumulate a private fortune?
"Or will the State force him to spend all, thus encouraging reckless habits?
"Suppose that a spendthrift squanders13 his allowance at once and later breaks his leg, has it amputated, and needs a hundred dollars to buy a wooden leg, how will he get it? Will the State make good his recklessness, force him to buy his own leg, or make him hop14 through the year on one leg?"
"I move we adjourn15!" Joe yelled, from the rear.
"Second the motion!" Tom echoed, from the front.
The Bard16, who had recovered sufficiently17 to attend on crutches18, rose painfully, adjusted the bandage on his eye, and once more raised his voice in protest.
"I demand freedom of speech on behalf of my friend whom those rowdies are insulting!" he thundered.
With reluctance19 the chairman rapped for order, [216]and Diggs wiped his glasses and smilingly proceeded:
"We have established a general nursery for the children. As they grow up, who shall decide at what age each child shall begin to work? Some children are slow, some quick in growth. Will the new State of Ventura take direct charge of all children?
"Or, supposing that separate families are allowed to live apart and parents to govern their own children, how is each child to be protected so that it gets its exact due? How is it to be known whether the parents misappropriate the fund of a child, or favour one more than another?
"As our numbers increase we cannot avoid the religious question."
"Amen, O Lord!" shouted Methodist John.
"A number of good people are clamouring for the use of this hall for religious services every night. We may deny their demands now. But we cannot as they increase. How are we to meet them? Shall we tax the unbeliever to support a church? Or shall we tax the believer to pay for lighting20 this hall for a weekly ball?
"If religion is allowed, who shall determine how many preachers each denomination21 can have? How many sisters shall be allowed the Catholics and how many monks22, and how shall they be [217]distributed? To whom shall they answer, the State, or their superior church dignitary?
"Shall Protestants be allowed a sum equal to the amount used in support of religious orders? If so, who shall determine how it shall be expended23?
"If churches are built, who shall determine their cost and their style of architecture if the State erects24 them?
"When our theatre is opened, shall admission be free? If not, what shall be done when the receipts fall below expenses?
"What compensation can we give to those who hate theatres? If a small majority want a dance-hall and musical extravaganza, and a minority want only the serious drama, which shall it be? Suppose a majority demand a race-course? Shall the resources of the colony be used thus against the bitter protest of those who do not believe in racing25? Suppose, just before the race-course is finished, the majority become a minority and the work is stopped—has the new majority the right to destroy the property and accumulate a new fund for a different purpose?
"Must a doctor always come when he's called—even for imaginary, hysterical26, and foolish causes? Will the people vote for and elect their own doctor, or will he be assigned? If the doctor proves a failure, how will they get rid of him? If they get [218]rid of him, how can he be saddled on another community? Shall one community suffer at the hands of an incompetent27 man, while a physician of genius ministers to the one next door? If a great surgeon is needed by ten persons at the same hour, who shall decide which operation he shall perform, and who shall live or die in consequence?
"Who shall say when a doctor is not fit to practise?
"We have just established a weekly paper. Within a year the population will need a daily. Who shall say when an editor is competent?
"Some men fail in early life and make their great success later. At what period, or after how long a trial, shall it be decided28 that a man is a failure and must quit his chosen or assigned work?
"Many young men promise well at first and make later miserable29 failures. Many are failures at first and make great successes. Who shall decide which to continue and which to stop? If a youth is forced to abandon a work on which he has set his heart, how can he be made of service to the community in a work he loathes30?
"We must continue to make inventions, or progress ceases. When the cost of experiments is greater than the total income of a citizen, how can the inventor bear the expense? Will any man sacrifice his own funds and his own time on an [219]uncertain experiment when he can receive no benefit from the work?
"Many men are working now over problems all other men believe cannot be solved. If the State must furnish the capital to make the experiments of inventors, who will be responsible for the enormous waste of treasure on senseless and useless and impossible inventions?
"Who can decide whether ideas proposed are useless or impossible? All great inventions which have revolutionized the history of ages have been laughed at by the world.
"How can we punish the jobbery and waste and corruption31 which may enter from experiments which are not made in good faith? Cannot any group of shrewd men pretend to have invented a machine which will save over half the labour of the colony, and spend millions on this imaginary invention which proves useless? If such an abuse of power should be made, would not the effect be to end forever all experiments and stop the progress of the world?
"When many cities have been built and one is more healthful, beautiful, and cultured than the others, shall those who live in the poorer cities be allowed to move or be forced to remain where they are? How are sculptors32, artists, musicians, or architects to be apportioned33 among different [220]communities? Suppose they all demand the right to live in one place?
"Will the State publish all books by all authors, or will selections be made? If all books are published will not vast sums be wasted in printing worthless trash? If selections are made, what unprejudiced, infallible board can be found competent to decide?
"If a man chooses to be a writer, how many years shall he be allowed to work at his occupation if in the opinion of the judges he shows no talent?
"Will the State permit freedom of opinion in the columns of its papers and the books printed? If so, what shall hinder a treasonable conspiracy34 from destroying respect for its authority? If opinions are to be edited by the State, how can the freedom of the press be maintained?
"What shall be done with the Negro, the Chinaman, and the Indian when their numbers largely increase? Will these inferior races be placed on an absolute equality with the Aryan and will they be allowed to freely intermarry? If so, can the new mongrel race maintain itself against the progress and power of the great high-bred races of men?
"Are women to receive the same allowance as men, and married women the same as spinsters?
"Shall men and women be required to marry [221]or be allowed to remain single? Shall all women be made to work? If it continues to cost more to support a single woman than a married one, how can equality of rights be maintained?
"As food is the basis of all supply, many must be farmers. How shall this great industry be conducted ultimately? Can we allow individuals to work small farms? If so, who determines the kind of crop each farm shall raise? How much land will a man be required to work?
"An Italian from the north of Italy can raise more on one acre than an Irishman can on ten—whose method shall be used, and whose capacity be taken for the standard?
"How many hours shall constitute a day on the farm? Shall a farmhand get only a dollar a day and a bricklayer two? If so, where is the justice and equality of such an arrangement?
"Can a farmer be allowed vacations? If so, must he ask permission where to go? If not, suppose he goes at seedtime or harvest, gets drunk, stays two weeks or two months, and destroys a year's crop? Who shall pay for this enormous damage, and how shall the penalty be enforced?
"Suppose a poor manager spoils the crop on an immense tract35 of land, how can any adequate penalty be enforced?
[222]"Shall one general manager decide what kind of crops to raise on each piece of land or each manager decide for himself? Suppose they all raise hay——"
"Then you'll have plenty to eat the balance of your life—you and all the other jackasses in the colony!" old Tom growled36.
A laugh rippled37 the crowd and the speaker paused in angry confusion. For the first time he lost his temper and stood glaring at his tormentors in silent rage.
Norman whispered to Barbara:
"Wolf has urged me for some time to suppress this meeting. Shall I do it?"
"Yes. It's a nuisance. I agree with him. Do it."
Norman rose just as Diggs sat down choking with anger.
"Comrades," the young leader said, in commanding tones. "I think this assembly has completed its work of discussion. The questions propounded38 here to-night are important. We will meet and solve them in due time, as we come to them. What this community needs now is the spirit of co?peration, of loyalty39, and industry. We have been assigned our tasks for the year. Now every man to his work! We have had enough of wrangling40 and questioning. [223]Let's live and breathe awhile. The executive council has decided to close the weekly sessions of the assembly until the annual election of officers next spring. Hereafter a musicale and dance will be held both Monday and Friday evenings."
The young folks broke into hearty41 applause led by old Tom and his partner Joe.
The Bard sprang to his feet, his one good eye blazing with inspired wrath42.
"And I denounce this act of tyranny as the climax43 of a series of infamies44! You have now forged the chains of slavery on every limb. Free speech has been suppressed—in God's name, what next?"
But the crowd only laughed. The Bard had protested so often his words ceased to have weight. The halo of romance that once wreathed his classic brow had faded with the painful disillusioning45 which followed a thrashing his wife had given him. He was a prophet without honour and his warnings fell on deaf ears.
Wolf and Catherine stood at the door with a word of cheer, a friendly nod, or a silent pressure of the hand for every one who emerged from the hall. These two alone at every turn grew in prestige among all jarring factions of the struggling colony.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
regularity
|
|
| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
wrangles
|
|
| n.（尤指长时间的）激烈争吵，口角，吵嘴( wrangle的名词复数 )v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
cliques
|
|
| n.小集团，小圈子，派系( clique的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
factions
|
|
| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
lank
|
|
| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
commonwealth
|
|
| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
speculation
|
|
| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
pertaining
|
|
| 与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
augmenting
|
|
| 使扩张 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
dealing
|
|
| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
squanders
|
|
| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
hop
|
|
| n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
adjourn
|
|
| v.（使）休会，（使）休庭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
bard
|
|
| n.吟游诗人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
crutches
|
|
| n.拐杖, 支柱 v.支撑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
reluctance
|
|
| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
denomination
|
|
| n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
monks
|
|
| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
expended
|
|
| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
erects
|
|
| v.使直立，竖起( erect的第三人称单数 )；建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
racing
|
|
| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
hysterical
|
|
| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
incompetent
|
|
| adj.无能力的，不能胜任的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
loathes
|
|
| v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的第三人称单数 )；极不喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
corruption
|
|
| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
sculptors
|
|
| 雕刻家，雕塑家( sculptor的名词复数 )； [天]玉夫座 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
apportioned
|
|
| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
conspiracy
|
|
| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
tract
|
|
| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
rippled
|
|
| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
propounded
|
|
| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
wrangling
|
|
| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
climax
|
|
| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
infamies
|
|
| n.声名狼藉( infamy的名词复数 )；臭名；丑恶；恶行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
disillusioning
|
|
| 使不再抱幻想，使理想破灭( disillusion的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |