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SON OF THE SUN to the air about the individual. These people impressed Adam as being perpetually poised for alertness to any new event and eager for any opportunity to serve their fellowmen. Adam began to feel a pleasant drowsiness. In a voice that only those sitting near him could hear, he said, “I feel I should go to sleep. It is more pleasant here than I can express. But sleep calls ard me, and I beg leave of you.” All those at his table stood up at his words. The young lady and her escort rose also, and came directly to him. Music sounded again, and everyone in the hall sang softly. The young woman and her escort indicated to Adam that they would see him to his cottage, and the three of them left the hall together. Adam noticed his drowsiness did not increase, but that he took on new zest while walking. Outside, he asked his two escorts what all the lightning and electrical flaring far above them meant. It never ceased. He could even hear the rumble of thunder accompanying the lightning effects. The man answered his question. “Our ship, Andromeda,” he said, “is afloat in the atmosphere of Venus. The solar energy causes the electrical turbulence you see above us in the cloudy atmosphere. Our ship is deep enough in the atmosphere to prevent seeing the sun, or its outline. On the night side of Venus there is no lightning. No need for more detail to your ready assimilation, is there, Adam?” he asked. “Wait a moment,” said Adam. “How can such a large ship as Andromeda remain firm and strong? It is all of ten miles in m7 . » diameter.” His guide replied without hesitation. “Our ship is built on the principle of the structural arc. It will neither collapse nor burst. The large floor beneath us is thick at the center, and not so thick at the periphery where it joins the shell overhead. This gives our floor the strength of rib and suspension. Besides, we have developed materials so strong you could not comprehend their strength even if you knew the composition. However, the entire body of Andromeda is similar to our smaller floor rib and suspension. we have materials not so 88 The man answered his