"We have full liberty of the press, radio, pictures and television," Xora said. "Our government has no right to censor them unless for unmoral causes. Otherwise their freedom is inviolable. We are at liberty to think, talk, broadcast, write about, and criticize our government executives, or our political, and economic defects, from the highest to the lowest, and state our opinions without reservation.
"We give and accept criticism in a friendly spirit, but we are very careful not to make libelous statements."
We had now reached our community, and the conductor signaled for a stop. He led us out to a platform near their commissary department, a very large store with food and beverage of every kind displayed on white monel shelves. Inside the spic and span interiors were attendants busy taking care of their customers.
I again said, "During my short visit here I cannot help but observe everywhere the unusual cleanliness in your homes, on your walks, in your station, and on your subway cars, and in the neat appearance of all your people, both young and old. It seems to be an inborn habit of you people of Mars. How did it begin?"
"Thousands of years back, our ancestors inaugurated these exacting rules by strictly enforcing them first by educational methods. We learn them through our boards of education in childhood and later, through our boards of health, who enforce them by regular inspections of our homes, offices, and factories, and punishing us by demoting us a point or more, according to infractions. So now it has, as you said, become a natural habit with us."
Then Xora said to me, "This experience today has no doubt been a very exciting adventure for you. You had better retire to your room for relaxation and meditation."
I agreed that I was indeed astonished at what I had heard and seen of the ways and conditions of Martian life.
She answered that this was only the beginning. "Grandfather wishes to see you again one day this week, and you will be amazed at what he has to show and tell you."
"It is certainly wonderful, wonderful beyond conception," was all I could answer. From the bird's-eye and surface views I have seen of the city, I could judge that its planners certainly had done a good job in its layout. Let me say again, it was beautiful beyond comparison. It would take me too long to give an adequate description that would do it justice.