“Our people could not be made to agree in a lifetime,” said the cross old man.

“We should have regular fights,” said the white-bearded old man with the laughing eyes.  “So that the thing is not as simple as it looks,” said Nekhludoff, “and this is a thing not only we but many have been considering.  There is an American, Henry George.  This is what he has thought out, and I agree with him.”

“Why, you are the master, and you give it as you like.  What’s it to you?  The power is yours,” said the cross old man.

This confused Nekhludoff, but he was pleased to see that not he alone was dissatisfied with this interruption.

“You wait a bit, Uncle Simon; let him tell us about it,” said the reasonable man, in his imposing bass.

This emboldened Nekhludoff, and he began to explain Henry George’s single-tax system “The earth is no man’s; it is God’s,” he began.

“Just so; that it is,” several voices replied.

“The land is common to all.  All have the same right to it, but there is good land and bad land, and every one would like to take the good land.  How is one to do in order to get it justly divided?  In this way:  he that will use the good land must pay those who have got no land the value of the land he uses,” Nekhludoff went on, answering his own question.  “As it would be difficult to say who should pay whom, and money is needed for communal use, it should be arranged that he who uses the good land should pay the amount of the value of his land to the commune for its needs.  Then every one would share equally.  If you want to use land pay for it—­more for the good, less for the bad land.  If you do not wish to use land, don’t pay anything, and those who use the land will pay the taxes and the communal expenses for you.”

“Well, he had a head, this George,” said the oven-builder, moving his brows.  “He who has good land must pay more.”

“If only the payment is according to our strength,” said the tall man with the bass voice, evidently foreseeing how the matter would end.

“The payment should be not too high and not too low.  If it is too high it will not get paid, and there will be a loss; and if it is too low it will be bought and sold.  There would be a trading in land.  This is what I wished to arrange among you here.”

“That is just, that is right; yes, that would do,” said the peasants.

“He has a head, this George,” said the broad-shouldered old man with the curls.  “See what he has invented.”

“Well, then, how would it be if I wished to take some land?” asked the smiling foreman.

“If there is an allotment to spare, take it and work it,” said Nekhludoff.

“What do you want it for?  You have sufficient as it is,” said the old man with the laughing eyes.

With this the conference ended.

Nekhludoff repeated his offer, and advised the men to talk it over with the rest of the commune and to return with the answer.