stories of how some of them had come, one by one, or in
small groups of a family or two. They had made their way from cities to
the north or the south, along the highway that passed through the
valley. They had come in rags, half-starved, out of the blizzards to the
unexpected sanctuary of a town that still retained a vestige of
civilization.

Unexpectedly, Ken found this very subject was being discussed in the
ration lines when he reached the warehouse. People had in their hands
copies of the twice-weekly mimeographed newssheet put out by the
Council. Across the top in capital letters was the word: PROCLAMATION.

Ken borrowed a sheet and read, "According to the latest count we've made
through the ration roll, there are now present in Mayfield almost three
thousand people who are refugees from other areas and have come in since
the beginning of the disaster.

"As great as our humanitarian feelings are, and although we should like
to be able to relieve the suffering of the whole world, if it were in
our power to do so, it is obviously impossible. Our food supplies are at
mere subsistence level now. Before next season's crops are in, it may be
necessary to reduce them still further.

"In view of this fact, the Mayor and the City Council have determined to
issue a proclamation as of this date that every citizen of Mayfield will
be registered and numbered and no rations will be issued except by
proper identification and number. It is hereby ordered that no one
hereafter shall permit the entrance of any stranger who was not a
resident of Mayfield prior to this date.

"A barbed-wire inclosure is to be constructed around the entire
residential and business district, and armed guards will be posted
against all refugees who may attempt to enter. Crews will be assigned to
the erection of the fence, and guard duty will be rotated among the male
citizens."

Ken passed the sheet back to his neighbor. His mind felt numb as he
thought of some of those he had seen shuffling through the deep snow in
town. He knew now how he had known they were strangers. Their pinched,
haunted faces showed the evidence of more privation and hardship than
any in Mayfield had yet known. These were the ones who would be turned
away from now on.

Ken heard the angry buzz of comments all around him. "Should have done
it long ago," a plump woman somewhere behind him was saying. "What right
have they got to come in and eat our food?"

A man at the h