“It’s the Milky Way,” said Mavis clapping her hands in ecstasy.
“I don’t think so,” said Alan. “But all the same, I think that gives us an idea in what direction we are flying. That brightness must be the Greater Magellanic Clouds in the Southern Constellation.”
“What, are they only clouds, then?”
“No, just stars. Stars of all magnitudes, richly strewn in the heavens. Even the faintest of the nebulæ are more abundant than in any other part of the firmament.”
“It’s wonderful,” said Sir John. “The illuminating brightness is almost overpowering.”
They were unable to take their eyes from the cloud-like condensation of stars—one of the glories of space.
“We don’t seem to be getting any nearer to it, although we are going at such a pace,” said Mavis.
“My dear,” answered her uncle. “We are too many miles away to see any appreciable lessening of distance between us.”
“What is that bright star there,” asked Mavis pointing. “Just a little to this side of the Magellanic Clouds?”
“I don’t know. It certainly is wonderfully bright,” answered Sir John.