Chapter V: The Human Conservatory

“But there is this difference,” he cautioned as they stepped out of the elevator into a sort of a plaza, “that, whereas you people on the earth have only begun to use the hothouse principle, we here have perfected it.

“I suggest that you waste no time looking for faults.”

Van Emmon stared at the doctor. “How does this idea fit your theory, Kinney--that Venus is simply the earth plus several thousand extra generations of civilization?”

“Fit?” echoed the doctor. “Fits like a glove. We humans are fast becoming a race of indoor-people despite all the various “back-to- nature” movements. Look at the popularity of inclosed automobiles, for example.

“The only thing that surprises me”--turning to their guide--”is that you use your legs for their original purpose.”

Estra smiled, and pointed out something standing a few feet away. It was a small, shuttle-shaped air-craft, with clear glass sides which had actually made them overlook it at first. Peering closer they saw that the plaza and surrounding streets were nearly filled with these all but invisible cars.

The Venusian explained. “You marvel that I use my legs and walk the same as you do. I am glad you have brought up this point, because it is a fact that our people use mechanisms instead of bodily energy, almost altogether. These cars you see are universally used for transportation. I am one of the very few who appreciate the value of natural exercise.”

“Do you mean to say,” demanded Van Emmon, “that the average Venusian does no walking?”

“Not a mile a year,” said Estra gravely.

“Just what he is obliged to do indoors from room to room.” And he involuntarily glanced down at his own extremely thin legs.

The architect’s eyes widened with a growing understanding. “I see now,” she murmured. “That’s why there was no one else to greet us.”

The Venusian smiled gratefully. “We thought it best. You’d have been shocked outright, I am sure, had you been introduced to a representative Venusian without any explanation.”

They fell silent. Still, without moving from the point where they had left the elevator, the four from the earth examined the surrounding buildings in a renewed effort to see some system in their arrangement. Directly in front of them was a particularly large structure. Like all the rest, it was of hopelessly irregular design, yet it had a large domed central portion which gave it the appearance of an auditorium; and the effect was further borne out by a subdued humming sound which seemed to come from it.

Smith asked Estra if it were a hall.

“Yes and no,” was the answer. “It fills the purpose of a hall, but is not built on the hall plan.” And Smith tried to stare through the translucent walls of the thing.

The other buildings within immediate reach were of every possible appearance. Some would have passed for cottages, others for stores, still others for the most fanciful of studios. And nowhere was there such a thing as a sign, even at the street corners, much less on a building.

“Not that we would be able to read your signs, if you had them,” commented the doctor, “but I’d like to know how your people find their way without something of that kind to guide them.”

Estra’s smile did not change. “That is something you will understand better before long,” said he, “provided you feel ready to explore a little further.”

The four looked at each other in question, and suddenly it struck them all that they were a rather pugnacious-looking crew in their cumbersome suits of armor and formidable helmets. The doctor turned to Estra.

“You ought to know”--he appealed--”whether we can take off these suits now.”

“It would be best,” was the reply. “You will find the air and temperature decidedly more warm and moist than what you have been used to, but otherwise practically the same. There is a slightly larger proportion of oxygen; that is all. Just imagine you are in a hothouse.”

Smith and the doctor were already discarding their suits. Van Emmon and Billie followed more slowly; the one, because he did not share the doctor’s confidence in their guide; the other, because of a sudden shyness in his presence. The Venusian noted this.

“You need not feel any embarrassment,” said he to Billie’s vast astonishment. “There is no distinction here between the dress of the two sexes.” And again all four marveled that he should know so much about them.

Once out of the armor the visitors felt much more at ease. The slightly reduced gravitation gave them a sense of lightness and freedom which more than balanced the junglelike oppressiveness of the air. They found themselves guarding against a certain exuberance; perhaps it was the extra oxygen, too.

They strode toward the large structure directly ahead. At its entrance-- a wide, square portal which opened into a fan-shaped lobby--Estra paused and smiled apologetically--as he mopped his forehead and upper lip with a paper handkerchief, which he immediately dropped into a small, trap- covered opening in the wall at his side.