“That is very clear to us now,” said the doctor, “and I promise not to be surprised again, even when I walk the streets of your cities and see you in your houses.”
“Then, Doctor,” said I, “if we had found inhabitants on the moon what great folks they must have seemed to us.”
This was an exceedingly foolish remark for me to make, for it resulted in the doctor’s almost betraying his condition to our friends.
Of course Thorwald was interested in what I said, and eagerly inquired:
“So you found no inhabitants in the moon?”
“Just one,” spoke up the doctor quickly.
“What! you found one and left him there?”
“It was a woman,” said the doctor.
This talk had been so rapid that I had not had a chance to interfere, but I saw that I must stop it now for the doctor’s sake. When I could see him alone I could tell him his memory was playing him a trick and he must avoid that subject. So, before Thorwald could speak again, I said:
“Let me suggest, Thorwald, that we let the moon rest till we have heard more of Mars, which I am sure is of greater importance. We have told you many things in regard to our planet, and are willing to answer all the questions you may please to ask from time to time, but now we would like to listen a while.”