“Well,” said I, “they are an interesting people; they seem to have things about the way they want them and I reckon they ought to be happy.”
“Yes,” he said, “they ought to be, and they are; as much so as any intelligent creatures can be. You may know they are good natured, jolly and generous from the size of their mouths. The size of their heads is a guaranty that whatever is knowable on earth they are pretty sure to find out, if you give them time enough; and renders probable the inference that they know that they are well off, and know enough to be contented. And as a matter of fact they are; and while they congratulate themselves, they never fail to call up in grateful remembrance the ancestors through whose martyrdom they have attained peace. Well we must now take our leave of this large hearted and large headed posterity of yours and return to the nineteenth century.
“Ah! here we are!”
CHAPTER XIII.
Mars and the Martians.
The Professor at this point turned about, took hold of the wire that anchored his car and slowly pulled it to the ground. I saw I was about to lose him, but felt that I ought not to try to detain him any longer.
I thanked him cordially for the invaluable visit he had given me and told him I hoped it might be repeated. He nodded his head in acquiescence, by which I understood, I might expect him some time again. I went on to congratulate him on the happy home he was returning to and the long agreeable rest that awaited him there after this fatiguing journey.
He smiled with his great eyes, and thanked me for my good wishes, but said he was destined to no such rest as I wished him.
“From the moment I reach home,” said he, “I shall be as busy as I can be for a week, preparing for my journey to Mars.”
“Your journey to Mars!” I exclaimed, “do you mean to say you go to Mars?”