The button and button holes of my clothing attracted as much attention
as my unnaturally shaped head. My collar and necktie were conundrums.
Not one of the learned scholars was able to advance a theory as to the
probable use of such a stiff piece under my head. I could not conceal my
smiles as I heard the flying theories as to the use of my cuffs. One
specialist decided that inasmuch as I had only two arms, I wore these to
make them appear larger. This was accepted as the most plausible
explanation.

Several times they urged me to speak. The man to whom I had first
appeared had told them that I was expert in their language. But I would
not utter a word, being anxious to learn all I could by listening to
their conjectures.

Some of my examiners were sure I belonged to a species of their animal
creation, who, in some unaccountable manner, had received the gift of
intelligence. But this opinion did not gain ground, as no one could
account for the manner of my clothing and especially for my pocket knife
and other accompaniments. No one believed that I came from another
world, and yet no one could see how or where I had originated on Mars.

Finally one of the company struck upon a popular theory. He argued that
I belonged to a tribe of creatures that had developed far away in one of
their almost unending forests, and that I was the first of my kind that
had ever ventured so far from home.

"But how did he learn our language?" queried one.

"Any intelligent creature would by nature alone come to our language,"
was the conceited explanation of another.