PIRATIANS BEGONE

Chapter 26

"You will perhaps understand something of its character," answeredHarod, "if I say it is almost entirely spiritual. While we have madesome progress in that direction, our superiority over the earth-dwellersis chiefly in physical and intellectual attainments. In the realm of thespirit we have yet far to go, and as long as we can see imperfections inour nature we feel that there is something ahead for us to strive after.With that example before us of a much more exalted life, we shall notbe satisfied until we have learned its secrets and attained to itsperfections. In this upward march we shall be sustained and helped bythe same divine Power that has thus far led us."

We were much impressed by Harod's earnest words and manner, andwe began to realize that the civilization of Mars was above our mostexalted conception. I had been so carried away by the topics which Ihad feared were going to be uninteresting that I had lost some of therestlessness of the morning, but as our sitting broke up and I noticedit was drawing near noon my anxious thoughts returned. Finding Frondaand learning from her from what direction Avis might be expected tocome, I determined to go out alone and see if I could meet her. Imanaged to get away without the fact being noticed, as far as I coulddiscover, and started down the walk at a brisk pace. The houses werea good distance apart and were all attractive enough to draw out bothwonder and admiration, had my mind been in a condition to appreciatetheir beauty. Occasionally an electric carriage would pass me, but thefirst pedestrian I met was a woman of noble bearing and about the age ofFronda, I should judge. After all I had heard of the physical and mentalperfections of the inhabitants of Mars, I did not expect to see any butgood-looking people. In this we were never disappointed, though stillthere were gradations of beauty even there. This woman whom I had metmust have been at one time strikingly handsome, and if time had robbedher of any of that quality it had made it up by giving her a raresweetness that fully atoned for the loss. As I was about to pass her shelooked at me with such a pleasant and agreeable curiosity that I stoppedand said:

"Pardon me, but may I ask you a question?"

"Certainly," she answered in a charming voice, "and I shall be veryglad to help you in any way. I recognize that you are one of theearth-dwellers, and I have met your companion the ship healer."

"Is it possible? I wonder he has not told me of such good fortune. Butthis is the question I wanted to ask you. As you came along this pathdid you see a young girl named Avis?"

"I did not, I am sure. I have met no young girl, and I could not see anyone by the name of Avis."

"Why so?"

"Because there is no such girl."

"Excuse me," I said, "but probably you do not know her. I have just comefrom one of the houses yonder, where she is expected about noon, and Icame out to try and meet her."

"Do you know her?" she asked.

"No--or, rather, I hope so; I cannot tell till I see her."

"That's curious. Have you ever met her?"

"I am not sure. I hope I have. I cannot explain it to you just now,but the minute I put my eyes on Avis I shall be able to answer all yourquestions."

"But her name cannot be Avis."

"Oh, yes, it is. It is quite plain that you do not know her."

"I beg your pardon," she returned, "there is but one person in all thiscountry by the name of Avis."

"Then that is the very person I am trying to find."

"You have found her."

"Where?"

"Right here. I am she."

I laughed outright and said:

"Oh, no, you must be mistaken. I do not mean to be disrespectful, butthe Avis I am looking for is young, younger than I am--evidently anotherperson of your name, whom you have never met."

"How do you know she is young?"

"Why," I answered, "of course she is young."

And then, when I thought of it a moment, I remembered that no one hadtold me her age, but I added:

"I know she is young, because I have heard her sing."

It was now my companion's turn to laugh, but although her merrimentwas at my expense its expression, like all her actions, was exceedinglypleasing. The thought occurred to me that even the most cultured of theearth's inhabitants have still much to learn in the realm of manners.

"Oh, do you imagine," she asked, in the midst of her laughing, "that youcan tell one's age in Mars from the quality of the voice? Does this Avisof yours sing well?"

"Excellently well. Until I heard her I had supposed there was but onesinger anywhere, in earth, sun, moon, or star, possessed of such a sweetand thrilling voice."

"And where, if I may ask, did you find that one?"

"Oh, the ship healer and I discovered her in our travels. I will tell you allabout her when I have more time. Now will you excuse me while I continuemy search for Avis?"

"You have forgotten," she answered, "what I told you. I am Avis."

"Not my Avis, the singer."

"Yes, the very same, and I can prove it."

"How?"

She answered by turning half around, lifting her head, and sending outon the air one full, rich note. It poorly describes my emotions to sayI was astonished. If I had been blind and dependent only on what I heardat that moment, I should have thrown myself at her feet and calledher Hanna. It brought back to me not only every expression of Hanna'smarvelous voice, but also every feature and every grace which hadformerly so bewitched me. If I had loved her passionately when we weretogether in the body, it would be difficult to characterize my feelingsnow that she was present only in memory. These sensations swept over merapidly, but before I could utter a word my companion spoke again:

"I see you hesitate. Let me complete my proof by saying that you arevisiting, with Ragul and Harod, at the house of Fronda, and haveheard me sing two nights in succession."

"Then," I exclaimed, with sorrow and despair in my voice, "I have indeedfound Avis, but, alas! I have once more lost Hanna."

"How so?"

"Why, don't you see? I expected to find Hanna and lose Avis. I thoughtAvis was Hanna, a thought born partly of hope, I suppose, but it did notseem possible that there could be two such singers. So you are reallyAvis. I must try and remember that, and not express any more sorrowat not losing you. If Avis could not be Hanna it is certainly a greatconsolation to find her in you. Let me return with you to Proctor's; andnow, will you not sing for me as we walk?"

"Are you so fond of singing, or is it because you like to be reminded ofHanna?"

"Both, I assure you."

"Does my voice sound like hers in conversation?"

"Oh, no, Hanna never talked as we do. Everything she wanted to say shesang."

"You surprise me," said Avis. "I should think she would soon becometiresome to her friends."

"If you had ever known her you would not make such a remark as that."

"I beg your pardon," she quickly returned. "I presume you are right. Andnow, to atone for wounding your feelings, I will sing till we come insight of Fronda's house."

"I thank you very much, and I promise you I shall walk as slowly aspossible."

She sang some sweet little things for me as we sauntered along,attracting me powerfully and making it easier for me to conceal my greatdisappointment.

When we reached the house Avis explained, in a few pleasant words, thefact of our acquaintance, and as soon as family and guests wereall gathered for the noonday lunch I told them about my peculiarforgetfulness of what had occurred on the moon and then about the mannerin which the events had been brought back to my mind. They showed moreinterest in the latter part of my relation than in the former, and whenI was through the ship healer said:

"I must confess to you now, my friend, that I told these good peoplesomething about your aberration. It was entirely for your own sake, forI wanted their help in bringing about your recovery, and now that wehave been successful I hope you will forgive me."

"You know there is nothing to forgive," I replied. Then Ragul said:

"The ship healer implies that we have all helped in the happy result, but Ican tell you that it is entirely due to himself and Avis. He happenedto meet Avis and heard her sing. He was struck at once with thelikeness between her voice and Hanna's, about whom he had told us, and heconceived the idea that if you could hear it when you were alone, sayin the night, and not know who the singer was, it might be the meansof bringing the forgotten circumstances all back to you. From what theship healer has told us we have, every one of us, fallen in love with Hanna,and I presume when we get your estimate we shall think none the less ofher. If I am correctly informed you found her especially att

ractive."

"In answer to your kind expressions of interest in me, Ragul, I willsay that, in spite of my appreciation of what you are all doing for us,I shall never see another really happy moment until Hanna is found."

"Then," quickly responded Harod, "we must redouble our efforts tofind her. I must tell you that ever since the ship healer first acquainted uswith the loss of Hanna we have had parties searching for her in all thatpart of the ocean."

"How thoughtful you are," I exclaimed. "But why do we not hurry home?Perhaps she is found."

"I regret to add to your sorrow," said Harod, "but we should learn ofit here as quickly as at home, for I am in constant communication withmy friends who are conducting the search. Still, we have been stayinghere for you and can now bring our visit to a close at any time."

So after lunch we bade adieu to Proctor and his household, and startedfor home, the same way we went out--that is, by going west again. As wemade a leisurely journey and enjoyed a good night's rest on the way, itwas just before noon when we arrived at Harod's house. Here wefound Antonia, who had been advised of our coming by telephone, and hadprepared a nice lunch for us. Just as we were all about to sit downto enjoy it, a young man entered unannounced and, without formalinvitation, joined us in gathering about the board. This was not aninstance of undue familiarity, as we soon discovered, but illustratedagain the free and hearty hospitality of these generous people.

"Foedric," said Harod, as soon as the guest had been greeted, "letme present you to these two friends from the earth. You doubtless haveheard of their arrival."

"I have," answered Foedric, "and I am exceedingly pleased to make theiracquaintance." And then turning to the ship healer, he said:

"We shall not let Harod and Ragul have the monopoly of your companywhile you are visiting our world. Many others are anxious to see you andto learn something of our sister planet."

"There is not much to learn," said the ship healer, "from such an unriperace as we represent, and I must say your people have not exhibited anyunpleasant curiosity."

"I am glad you have not been annoyed. We understand too well what is dueyou as our guests to crowd our attentions upon you, but you will allowme to say that already the main facts in your case are known allover our world, and our scientists are discussing the earth and itsinhabitants in the great light of the knowledge which you have brought."

Foedric spoke with ease, and yet with entire absence of youthfulpedantry. The ship healer and I could but admire his fine face and robustform, as well as his manly courtesy and friendliness. And before themeal was over we discovered that one other person at the table admiredhim, probably for the same and many other qualities. It seemed to usaccidental when Foedric had dropped in upon us and chosen a seat next toAntonia, but it soon became evident that we had not witnessed even thatkind of an accident.

What was exhibited to us there, among that highly developed people, wasa genuine, old-fashioned, new-fashioned love affair. We rejoiced in ourhearts to find that their advanced civilization left abundant room forthe development of the tender passion, and that it also seemed not todiscourage a plain and sensible exhibition of it. For these two youngpeople made no effort to conceal their happiness. Not the company oftheir chosen friends nor the presence of strangers from a distant worldcaused them the slightest embarrassment, as they spoke from time totime their words of love, simple words to other listeners, but full ofmeaning to themselves.

"Say that again, Antonia," spoke Foedric.