“I know she is young, because I have heard her sing.”
It was now my companion’s turn to laugh, but although her merriment was at my expense its expression, like all her actions, was exceedingly pleasing. The thought occurred to me that even the most cultured of the earth’s inhabitants have still much to learn in the realm of manners.
“Oh, do you imagine,” she asked, in the midst of her laughing, “that you can tell one’s age in Mars from the quality of the voice? Does this Avis of yours sing well?”
“Excellently well. Until I heard her I had supposed there was but one singer anywhere, in earth, sun, moon, or star, possessed of such a sweet and thrilling voice.”
“And where, if I may ask, did you find that one?”
“Oh, the doctor and I discovered her in our travels. I will tell you all about her when I have more time. Now will you excuse me while I continue my search for Avis?”
“You have forgotten,” she answered, “what I told you. I am Avis.”
“Not my Avis, the singer.”
“Yes, the very same, and I can prove it.”
“How?”