by James Cowan
CHAPTER XIX.
I DISCOVER THE SINGER.
We were much impressed by Thorwald'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 doctor."
"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 doctor 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 Mona. It brought back to me not only every expression of Mona'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 Zenith and Thorwald, 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 Mona."
"How so?"
"Why, don't you see? I expected to find Mona and lose Avis. I thoughtAvis was Mona, 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 Mona 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 ofMona?"
"Both, I assure you."
"Does my voice sound like hers in conversation?"
"Oh, no, Mona 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 doctor 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 Zenith said:
"The doctor 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 Mona'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 thedoctor has told us we have, every one of us, fallen in love with Mona,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, Zenith, 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 Mona is found."
"Then," quickly responded Thorwald, "we must redouble our efforts tofind her. I must tell you that ever since the doctor first acquainted uswith the loss of Mona 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 Thorwald, "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 Thorwald'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 Thorwald, 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 doctor, he said:
"We shall not let Thorwald and Zenith 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 doctor, "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 doctor 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.
"Why do you ask me to repeat it so often? I have said it so many timesand with so little variety of expression that I fear the monotony willtire you. You can tell how strong my devotion is by my every look andaction."
"Very well," Foedric responded, "then I, too, will be silent."
"Oh, no; I retract what I have said if it is to have that effect. It isonly my own expressions that seem tiresome. I could not be happy withoutyour voice in my ears, though you repeat from morn till eve the old,familiar words."
"Then you must believe the same of me," said Foedric.
As we all happened to be listening to these two at that moment, Foedriclooked up to our host and said:
"Thorwald, do you think Antonia and I had better try to reform thecustoms of the world, and do away with all verbal expression of ourattachment, on the ground that it is unnecessary and only a waste ofbreath?"
"If some cruel master should force such a prohibition upon you,Foedric, what would be your feeling? The heart craves such expression asnaturally as the body craves food. Suppose a couple were to start off bysaying once for all that they loved each other, and then agree to livethe rest of their lives on that one expression. They would argue thatall such sentiment was folly, and interfered with the serious businessof life, and so, denying a healthy appetite, their hearts would shrivelup and the fair blossom of their love would soon wither and die."
As we smiled at Thorwald's words, Zenith showed her interest by saying:
"The subject reminds me of that epoch in our history of which we read,when all the world went without eating for a time."
"Without eating?" asked the doctor.
"Yes, I will tell you about it. Once science reached that conditionwhere it thought it could make the world over and improve on the firstcreation in a great many ways. Men began to say that the time spent incooking and eating was all wasted, that time, being the most valuablething they had, should be employed in some more useful way than inindulging a mere sensual passion. The appetite came to be looked uponas something too gross for intelligent beings and suited only to thenatures of the lower animals. Under the influence of this growingsentiment, science soon discovered a process for condensing our food towonderfully small proportions. All extraneous matter was rejected, andonly those particles retained which were absolutely essential to ournourishment, chemical knowledge having reached a high state. The resultwas that it finally became possible to subsist a whole day on a singleswallow. One pill, taken every morning, contained all the food required,both for the growth and maintenance of the body Science prided itself onsuch an advanced step, and men looked forward and wondered what furthermarvels the future would bring forth."
The doctor did not try to hide his interest in this recital, and as soonas Zenith paused he said:
"My friend and myself are most truly thankful that that custom did notcontinue to the present day. But did it remain long?"
"No," replied Zenith, "of course it could not. At first people thoughtit an immense gain. Just think of the time and expense it saved inevery household, doing away with dining-room and kitchen, with all theirfurniture and utensils, and reducing the cares of housekeeping muchmore than half. But it proved to be a costly experiment, and nature soonexerted itself, as it always will in time. Science, not satisfied withwhat had been accomplished, kept striving after what it called moreperfect results, and just as it had made a pellet of such powerfulingredients that it would sustain life for a week, men began to dierapidly of the treatment. This called a halt, but the damage done wasserious enough to give the world a good fright, turn it back to the oldfashioned habit of eating, and confirm us forever in that indulgence.Since then we have believed that such appetites are given us for a wisepurpose and that, rightly enjoyed, they are a means of growth toward amore and more perfect state."
"This lesson from our experience then," said Foedric to Antonia, "is toteach us the plain duty of lavishing upon each other, without measure,our affectionate words, because it is a legitimate, healthy longingof our nature, and I sincerely hope you will take it to heart. Do notundertake to make me exist a week or a day on a single morsel."
As for myself, I was not so much engrossed in this talk as to forget myown condition, which seemed all the more forlorn by contrast with theunalloyed happiness of these joyous beings. I wondered if such affairsalways went smoothly in Mars. Was early love always mutual, or did onesometimes refuse to be wooed and prefer another? And did it ever happenthat the loved one was lost, as Mona was lost to me, perha
ps never to befound?
But in the company of such happy people I felt that my anxious spiritwas out of place, and I tried to cast off my forebodings and to seizefrom the image of Mona present in my memory a portion of her own cheerand hope. That I was not entirely successful my looks must haveshown, for as we rose from the table Zenith said to me, with a look ofsympathy:
"You are sad--I think I will send for Avis to come over and cheer youup."
This was spoken as if Avis were just across the street and could runover in a minute. But as I did not discourage the idea the invitationwas sent, and before night Avis was with us, filling the house withmelody. She delighted in her song and was as youthful in spirit as agirl, and this was a quality always noticeable in the Martians. And,moreover, under the influence of Avis the members of our own householdfound their voices, so that the doctor and I learned that they need notsend to the antipodes for singers. Zenith and Foedric were exceptionallygood, but no one except Avis possessed the peculiar charm of Mona.