‘I have seen the world.’
‘Ah! a wondrous spectacle. I long to travel.’
‘The same thing over and over again. Little novelty and much change. I am wearied with exertion, and if I could get a pension would retire.’
‘And yet travel brings wisdom.’
‘It cures us of care. Seeing much we feel little, and learn how very petty are all those great affairs which cost us such anxiety.’
‘I feel that already myself. Floating in this blue aether, what the devil is my wife to me, and her dirty Earth! My persecuting enemies seem so many pismires; and as for my debts, which have occasioned me so many brooding moments, honour and infamy, credit and beggary, seem to me alike ridiculous.’
‘Your mind is opening, Ixion. You will soon be a man of the world. To the left, and keep clear of that star.’
‘Who lives there?’
‘The Fates know, not I. Some low people who are trying to shine into notice. ‘Tis a parvenu planet, and only sprung into space within this century. We do not visit them.’
‘Poor devils! I feel hungry.’