Which town?

20

On Her lands a strange silence reigned, as if of held breath.

The conflicts were declared.

Alienations, accusations, ostracism – and maneuvers, cunning ruses and threats – and, irresistible, peals of laughter.

The legal owners and their agents, against the residents.

The villagers were watching it all and in their own ways understood the stakes and if, by tradition, they were inclined to respect the better endowed and land owners, they also felt a somewhat deeper appreciation for those odd creatures who seemed ready to give their lives for the creation of an ideal society and a happier natural world. Many of them had become associated through work and were touched and impressed by comportments that were generally fraternal, direct and equitable. Others, on the pay of the Society, well had to obey orders and quarrels would erupt here or there on the ground regarding a crop, a fence, a right of use or access, often deliberately provoked with the aim of registering more official complaints and filing more cases – of eroding the resistance.

*

S., Her scribe become outlaw for having decamped with the treasure had, with the help and support of sympathizers, aspirants and disciples who were independent of the ashram, been enabled to collect the necessary funds and equipment for the printing and publication, one by one, of the 13 volumes of Her Agenda and the “brothers and sisters” of Her town were

162