tell you how you are, so you can be a little cautious. You talk all right
on most subjects, but you will do well to avoid the moon as a topic of
conversation. If the others ask any more questions about the moon, you can
just let me answer them."

I said all this seriously enough, but the doctor laughed boisterously as
he answered:

"Well, if this isn't a joke. You think I am crazy, and I know you are
crazy, and I can prove it. I will just ask you one question, which please
answer truthfully. Don't you remember Mona?"

"Oh, there is Mona again! Don't you see that only proves your own madness?
No, I don't remember Mona, and you don't either."

"I must say," returned the doctor, "I never expected to see you get over
your infatuation so quickly."

"What direction did my infatuation, as you call it, take?"

"Marriage, I should say."

"Now you interest me," I returned, "and you must tell me more. Is this
Mona of yours the sole resident of the moon, of whom you spoke to
Thorwald?"

"Certainly she is, but you surely must be out of your head to call her my
Mona--I want no stronger proof."

"How so?" I asked.