“I have been surprised that you have not shown more curiosity on one subject of vast importance to us. You have not once asked to see our comet.”
“We have talked of it by ourselves,” said the doctor, “but we have been too much engrossed in studying your history and customs to think much of a topic so far above our comprehension as the comet. Your civilization is much higher than we can appreciate, and I am sure we should make small progress in attempting to investigate a development that is so much beyond yours.”
“Your excuse,” returned Thorwald, “is as complimentary as it is ingenious. But should you not like to see an object which possesses so much interest for us?”
“Certainly,” the doctor made haste to reply; “and just as soon as you choose to take us. You told us it was at the door of a large city. Is it far from here?”
“Yes,” Thorwald answered, “a long way in miles, but not far in minutes if we go by the tubular route. But if it is agreeable to you, suppose we take the air line and make a leisurely excursion of it.”
We both assured him that we were delighted with the prospect, and I suggested that Zenith and the children should accompany us.
“Yes,” said Thorwald, “and in anticipation of your consent to go on the expedition, I invited some other friends of yours last night to share the pleasure with us. And here they are now,” he continued, rising and stepping to the door.
The doctor and I hurried forward, and were heartily greeted by Proctor, the astronomer, and Foedric of the red voice. The latter was accompanied by a comely-looking ape, which had been trained to act as his body servant. The animal was intelligent, and quick to understand every word addressed to him, but quiet and respectful in demeanor, and, to all appearance, as well fitted to fill the station he occupied as the servants we had been accustomed to seeing on the earth.
Zenith explained to us that in many households the ape and other creatures were employed for light services, and were exceedingly useful. But as for their own house, she said the work that could not be done by mechanical means she preferred to do herself, assisted by her children. It was much better that every child should have some stated work to do.
It was not long before we were all on our way to the aerial station, where we selected a commodious air ship, managed by one of Foedric’s friends.