Gentola--Knowing so little of gymnasiums of our own planet I fear that I may not intelligibly describe this one. The apartment itself is immensely large and the domed ceiling very lofty. There are many large windows and they and the ceiling or roof are filled in with what appears to be opalescent glass set in metal frames. Depending from the roof are swings and ropes and various contrivances of whose uses I am quite ignorant. Attached to some of the ropes are huge balls of apparently an elastic material, which Dano and the other youths are so vigorously striking that they bound away, only to return again for further punishment which they are capable of resenting, for one has struck yonder youth a staggering blow. That dark-skinned boy climbs that rope with the agility of a monkey, and yonder handsome blonde youth, hand over hand, climbs another rope depending from the very apex of the roof and now he comes down head foremost, and--oh--I thought he was about to fall, but he has turned a somersault and landed on his feet on a--ah, I see. That part of the floor is covered with spiral springs over which is a padding of some elastic material similar to curled hair; no, it is some sort of fibrous stuff and over it, stretched tightly, is a covering resembling rubber sheeting, which is so elastic that the gymnasts bound from it like so many rubber balls. Many of the appliances I have no knowledge of, but there are horizontal bars on which some of the youths are exercising with what appears to me utter recklessness. See that young giant swinging, swinging from that suspended bar, and there he goes through the air, catching another bar, and, oh my, I do not like to see that. I suppose that if he should fall that net would catch him, but it looks dangerous. Now he sits on the bar swinging to and fro, and now he drops and catches the bar, and now, with a great leap, he has caught a rope and is descending head foremost. I do not understand why any one takes pleasure in such risky performances. If I say that those young men are practising with Indian clubs will I be greatly mistaken? How gracefully they handle the clubs and they, like their classmates, may be called handsome; but, somehow, I do not grow accustomed to the extraordinary size of the Entoans. Why those dark-skinned youths, including Dano, appear gigantic and the lighter hued youths, compared with you gentlemen also are giants. The doctor and professors are looking on with apparent enjoyment and interest, especially commending Dano's energetic movements, but--ah, see, an attendant is presenting to the white-bearded Professor a letter. As he glances over its contents he pales visibly, and is greatly disturbed. In a low tone he says, "Friends, I have received a letter from Basto Andûlēs[a:]." Now he calls to Dano. Professor--Dano, Dano, I would speak with you. This moment a message from your honored father has arrived. You will listen while I shall read what concerns all here.