“Was it then so easy for them to be just?” asked Thorwald.
“Certainly, and I have been exceedingly surprised to learn by your long talk that there is such a thing as injustice.”
We were all becoming thoroughly interested, but left it for Thorwald to continue his questions.
“Mona,” said he, “do you mean that your people, even in the remote past, were entirely ignorant of such troubles as we have been speaking about?”
“Yes, and of all other troubles. I am sure there was always only peace and happiness on the moon. Strife and hatred, sorrow, want, and misery are all strange words to me, and entirely unknown except as I have heard them in your conversation.”
“Was there never any sickness there?” I asked.
“I don’t know the meaning of the word,” she replied. “Is it another item in the general unpleasantness of the times you have been describing? I wonder that your race, Thorwald, ever survived those rude days.”
“But,” asked Thorwald, “what think you of the earth? The doctor and his companion say their planet is now passing through just such a period.”
“Well, all I can say is that I am thankful I was not discovered till after the moon had deserted the earth.”
“Tell us more about your race,” said the doctor. “Were they all as good as you are?”