The meaning of "I say" in this context. . . .

Question

Please refer to the excerpt below:

At first, I say, the handling-machine did not impress me as a machine, but as

a crablike creature with a glittering integument, the controlling Martian

whose delicate tentacles actuated its movements seeming to be simply the

equivalent of the crab's cerebral portion.

Does it mean "to my surprise" or "to my disillusionment" or both?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Now I'm thinking it simply implies emphasis in this context as per the first definition below:

Idioms:

I say

1. Used preceding an utterance to call attention to it.

2. Used as an exclamation of surprise, delight, or dismay.

What do you think?

Anonymous · Answer

I'm stumped too. . . .

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousAt first, I say, the handling-machine did not impress me as a machine, but as a crablike creature with a glittering integument, the controlling Martian whose delicate tentacles actuated its movements seeming to be simply the equivalent of the crab's cerebral portion.

Hi, guys.
I take it as one of those "sentence interrupters." It's surely not a quote. It's a narrative.
The storyteller is trying to impart something of his personality.
At first, by Jove, I was struck with the machine's crablike quality.

When I first looked at it, I took it as a report:
Let me say this: the machine did not impress me.

But that's not it.

Hmmm, is there only one Anon in this thread??
Right. The "first" definition above.

The meaning of "I say" in this context. . . .

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