“Comet Master sent me!” replied No. 45, briefly.
“But what for?” persisted the little comet. “What is it all about? What good does it do? Why do we travel for weeks and months and years? That’s what I want to find out.”
“Don’t know, I’m sure!” said the elder, still more shortly. “What’s more, don’t care!”
The little comet fairly shook with amazement and indignation. “You don’t care!” he cried. “Is it possible? And how long, may I ask, have you been travelling hither and thither through space, without knowing or caring why?”
“Long enough to learn not to ask stupid questions!” answered Long-Tail No. 45. “Good morning to you!”
And without another word he was off, with his preposterously long tail spreading itself like a luminous fan behind him. The little comet looked after him for some time in silence. At last he said:—
“Well, I call that simply disgusting! An ignorant, narrow-minded old—”
“Hello, cousin!” called a clear merry voice just behind him. “How goes it with you? Shall we travel together? Our roads seem to go in the same direction.”
The comet turned and saw a bright and sparkling meteor. “I—I—must not speak to you!” said No. 73, confusedly.
“Not speak to me!” exclaimed the meteor, laughing. “Why, what’s the matter? What have I done? I never saw you before in my life.”