CHAPTER XIV.

PROCTOR SHOWS US THE EARTH.


We discovered at once that the Mars dwellers understand what genuine
hospitality is, for we found ourselves at perfect liberty to do what best
pleased us without restraint from our hosts. With so much to tell us of
their own high civilization and with so many questions still to ask about
the earth, there was no haste nor undue curiosity. Much less was there any
attempt yet by Thorwald to resume the argument about the habitability of
other worlds.

But at the same time we were aware that our friends were at our service,
and early in the afternoon Thorwald asked us if we could think of anything
we should like to see.

"Yes," I answered, "I should like to see the earth."

"No doubt, my friend, but I don't see exactly how I am going to take you
there."

"I did not expect that," said I; "but, after all you have hinted about
your advance in astronomical science, I thought you might give us a pretty
good view of the earth without going any nearer to it than we are now."

"Oh, that's what you mean, is it? Excuse me for being so dull. Is it not
singular that I should wait to be asked to show you the wonders of our
telescopes? Zenith, let us all go with them to see their home, about which
we have so often speculated.