trouble about carrying the fish up, as he would send some one down for them; so we followed his advice.
Having reached the house, I did not join the others, but sought out my sleeping apartment, for I felt exhausted and inclined to slumber. Louva more than once appeared in my dreams. However, I slept long and soundly, and on waking up, felt very hungry. It so happened, however, that the dining hour was approaching, and by the time I was prepared, the meal was announced.
The conversation at the table on this occasion was brisk; in fact, I believe I opened the debate by adverting to the numerous inventions and discoveries of the nineteenth century. Whereupon Ilaclatella inquired if this were our first and only civilization, and if it were likely to be permanent.
I answered the first part of the question in the negative, but with regard to the latter I could say nothing, but believed it would be so.
He then inquired if by our inventions—which, he admitted, were indeed wonderful—we had eradicated all diseases from among our people, and improved the conditions of the masses generally?
Referring to diseases, I admitted we had not; and as for the masses, I could safely say that their
