man (I use the word for convenience) coming forward and asking you to give
it up to him?"

"Nothing," answered Thorwald. "In such a case I should immediately move
out and let him have it, knowing he must be entirely unselfish in the
matter and that there must be some sufficient reason for the request."

"But would you go to all the trouble of moving without even knowing his
reason?"

"Yes, I would do it to accommodate him, but then the trouble would be
nothing. We would merely have to go out and take another house."

"But would you not have to move all the furniture?"

"Oh, no. We could take anything we pleased, of course, but it is not usual
to make radical changes. Another house would contain all that was
desirable. As a matter of fact, however, such removals are by no means
frequent. We usually remain in one place and acquire all the tender
associations of home which could be possible under any system. But if a
family should increase so that it would be better for them to take a
larger house, they could easily find one, or if not they would ask those
who are fond of that work to build one to their taste. The moment a thing
is made or produced it belongs to the general store, to be used by any and
all who need it."

"Under such conditions," said I, "what we call the eighth commandment
would be superfluous."

"If that refers to theft," answered Thorwald, "you are certainly right,