Millions of Earthlings gaped while the Martian show went on.
"Oh, my goodness!" screamed Edith, sitting erect in her chair. "Oh, my goodness!"
"He's stark naked!" roared Fendler. "Mallory, he's nude as a jaybird!"
"So I see," said Roy uncomfortably. "Rather makes the classical sculptures of the ancient Greeks seem crude by comparison, doesn't he?"
"Eh?" said Fendler. "Oh ... yes, he ... does.... I see what you mean. But ..." he subsided and relaxed in his chair, because now the figure had vanished. "Classical art, personified. Great artists, those Martians must be...."
Roy looked covertly at Edith, who was trembling and trying to compose herself as she too returned to her reclining position.
"Eight, nine, ten," he muttered.
"What did you say?" asked Edith faintly, her composure returning.
"Just counting myself out," said Roy sadly. "If that's what it takes, I'm long gone."