Page:Traveler from Altruria, Howells, 1894.djvu/193

Rh "I was down in New York, once, and I went through some of the streets and houses where the poor people live," said young Camp, "and they seemed to know each other, and to be quite neighborly."

"And would you like to be all messed in with each other, that way?" demanded the lady.

"Well, I thought it was better than living as we do in the country, so far apart that we never see each other, hardly. And it seems to me better than not having any neighbors at all."

"Well, every one to his taste," said Mrs. Makely. "I wish you would tell us how people manage with you, socially, Mr. Homos."

"Why, you know," he began, "we have neither city nor country in your sense, and so we are neither so isolated nor so crowded together. You feel that you lose a great deal, in not seeing each other oftener?" he asked Camp.

"Yes. Folks rust out, living alone. It's human nature to want to get together."

"And I understand Mrs. Makely that it is human nature to want to keep apart?"

"Oh, no, but to come together independently," she answered.