Bearwarden,
"except for the benefit of those that remain. If this attempt
succeeds, it can doubtless be repeated. An increase in eccentricity
would merely shorten the journey, if aphelion always coincided with
opposition, which it would not."

"Let us know how you are getting on," said Deepwaters to Ayrault, "and
be sure you have the Callisto properly christened. Step lively there,
landlubbers!" he called to Stillman; "I have an appointment at
Washington at one, and it is now twenty minutes past twelve. We can
lunch on the way."

Ayrault immediately advertised for bids for the construction of a
glucinum cylinder twenty-five feet in diameter, fifteen feet high at
the sides, with a domed roof, bringing up the total height to
twenty-one feet, and with a small gutter about it to catch the rain on
Jupiter or any other planet they might visit. The sides, roof, and
floor were to consist of two sheets, each one third of an inch thick
and six inches apart, the space between to be filled with mineral wool,
as a protection against the intense cold of space. There were also to
be several keels and supports underneath, on which the car should rest.
Large, toughened plate-glass windows were to be let into the roof and
sides, and smaller ones in the floor, all to be furnished with thick
shades and curtains. Ayrault also decided to have it divided into two
stories, with ceilings six and a half to seven and a half feet high,
respectively, with a sort of crow's nest or observatory at the top; the
floors to be lattice-work, like those in the engine-room of a steamer,
so that when the carpets were rolled up they should not greatly
obstruct the view. The wide, flat base and the low centre of gravity
would, he saw, be of use in withstanding the high winds that he knew
often prevailed on Jupiter.

As soon as possible he awarded the contract, and then entering his
smart electric trap, steered for Vassar University along what was the
old post-road--though its builders would not have recognized it with
its asphalt surface, straightened curves, and easy grades--to ask his
idol to christen the Callisto when it should be finished.

Starting from the upper end of Central Park, he stopped to buy her a
bunch of violets, and then ran to Poughkeepsie in two hours.

Sylvia Preston was a lovely girl, with blue eyes, brown hair, and
perfect figure, clear white skin, and just twenty. She was delighted
to see him, and said she would love to ch