particularly on the indifference I manifested in all his dealings with
me.

"It is a baby Mon-go-din," suggested the one professor, while the other
advanced the theory that I was an abnormal child of some Jupiterite.

My watch excited their curiosity. One reached his hand cautiously
through the bars and evinced by his actions what he wanted. I looked up
into his eyes and spoke my first words.

"Patience, please, till I put the watch together, and you shall have
it."

Not only did his arms fly away from the cage, but his whole body fell
prostrate to the floor, whether from fright or surprise, I knew not. His
two companions were also in a sorry plight. I pretended not to notice
their consternation, and kept myself busy in placing the parts of my
watch together.

After a while I was addressed by a trembling questioner: "Where is your
home, my child?" I did not lift my eyes, but completed my little
self-appointed task, and at once raised the watch in fulfillment of my
promise.

The timid professor ventured to accept it and, as he received it from my
hand, he again asked: "Where is your home?"

"Farther away than the circumference of your world," I distinctly
answered.