The Time Mahine

7/25/2019 The Time Mahine

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Project Gutenberg's The Time Machine, by H. G. (Herbert George)Wells [1898]

Release Date: October 2, 2004 [Eoo! "#$] [%ast u&ate: (ugust 21, 2011]

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*+e *-e *ra.eller /or so t ll be con.enent to s&ea! o +- as e3&ounng a reconte -atter to

us 5s gre6 e6es s+one an tn!le, an +s usuall6 &ale ace as 7us+e an an-ate *+e reburne brg+tl6, an t+e sot raance o t+e ncanescent lg+ts n t+e lles o sl.er caug+t t+ebubbles t+at 7as+e an &asse n our glasses Our c+ars, beng +s &atents, e-brace an caresseus rat+er t+an sub-tte to be sat u&on, an t+ere as t+at lu3urous aternner at-os&+ere +ent+oug+t roa-s graceull6 ree o t+e tra--els o &recson (n +e &ut t to us n t+s a6;<-ar!ngt+e &onts t+ a lean orenger;<as e sat an la=l6 a-re +s earnestness o.er t+s ne &arao3/as e t+oug+t t an +s ecunt6

'>ou -ust ollo -e careull6 ) s+all +a.e to contro.ert one or to eas t+at are al-ost un.ersall6acce&te *+e geo-etr6, or nstance, t+e6 taug+t 6ou at sc+ool s oune on a -sconce&ton'

')s not t+at rat+er a large t+ng to e3&ect us to begn u&on?' sa @lb6, an argu-entat.e &erson t+ re +ar

') o not -ean to as! 6ou to acce&t an6t+ng t+out reasonable groun or t >ou ll soon a-t as-uc+ as ) nee ro- 6ou >ou !no o course t+at a -at+e-atcal lne, a lne o t+c!ness nl, +as noreal e3stence *+e6 taug+t 6ou t+at? Aet+er +as a -at+e-atcal &lane *+ese t+ngs are -ereabstractons'

'*+at s all rg+t,' sa t+e Ps6c+ologst

'Aor, +a.ng onl6 lengt+, breat+, an t+c!ness, can a cube +a.e a real e3stence'

'*+ere ) object,' sa @lb6 'O course a sol bo6 -a6 e3st (ll real t+ngs;<'

'Bo -ost &eo&le t+n! ut at a -o-ent Can an nstantaneous cube e3st?'

'Don't ollo 6ou,' sa @lb6

'Can a cube t+at oes not last or an6 t-e at all, +a.e a real e3stence?'

@lb6 beca-e &ens.e 'Clearl6,' t+e *-e *ra.eller &roceee, 'an6 real bo6 -ust +a.e e3tenson nour rectons: t -ust +a.e %engt+, reat+, *+c!ness, an;<Duraton ut t+roug+ a naturalnr-t6 o t+e 7es+, +c+ ) ll e3&lan to 6ou n a -o-ent, e nclne to o.erloo! t+s act *+ere arereall6 our -ensons, t+ree +c+ e call t+e t+ree &lanes o B&ace, an a ourt+, *-e *+ere s,+oe.er, a tenenc6 to ra an unreal stncton beteen t+e or-er t+ree -ensons an t+e latter,because t +a&&ens t+at our conscousness -o.es nter-ttentl6 n one recton along t+e latter ro-

t+e begnnng to t+e en o our l.es'

'*+at,' sa a .er6 6oung -an, -a!ng s&as-oc eorts to relg+t +s cgar o.er t+e la-& 't+at ;F.er6 clear nee'

'Ao, t s .er6 re-ar!able t+at t+s s so e3tens.el6 o.erloo!e,' contnue t+e *-e *ra.eller, t+ aslg+t accesson o c+eerulness 'Reall6 t+s s +at s -eant b6 t+e @ourt+ D-enson, t+oug+ so-e&eo&le +o tal! about t+e @ourt+ D-enson o not !no t+e6 -ean t )t s onl6 anot+er a6 o loo!ngat *-e *+ere s no erence beteen *-e an an6 o t+e t+ree -ensons o B&ace e3ce&t t+at ourconscousness -o.es along t ut so-e ools+ &eo&le +a.e got +ol o t+e rong se o t+at ea >ou+a.e all +ear +at t+e6 +a.e to sa6 about t+s @ourt+ D-enson?'

') +a.e not,' sa t+e Pro.ncal a6or

')t s s-&l6 t+s *+at B&ace, as our -at+e-atcans +a.e t, s s&o!en o as +a.ng t+ree -ensons,+c+ one -a6 call %engt+, reat+, an *+c!ness, an s ala6s enable b6 reerence to t+ree

[1]



&lanes, eac+ at rg+t angles to t+e ot+ers ut so-e &+loso&+cal &eo&le +a.e been as!ng +6 t+ree-ensons &artcularl6;<+6 not anot+er recton at rg+t angles to t+e ot+er t+ree?;<an +a.ee.en tre to construct a @ourD-enson geo-etr6 Proessor B-on Aeco-b as e3&ounng t+s tot+e Ae >or! at+e-atcal Bocet6 onl6 a -ont+ or so ago >ou !no +o on a 7at surace, +c+ +asonl6 to -ensons, e can re&resent a gure o a t+ree-ensonal sol, an s-larl6 t+e6 t+n!t+at b6 -oels o t+ree -ensons t+e6 coul re&resent one o our;< t+e6 coul -aster t+e&ers&ect.e o t+e t+ng Bee?'

') t+n! so,' -ur-ure t+e Pro.ncal a6or an, !nttng +s bros, +e la&se nto an ntros&ect.e

state, +s l&s -o.ng as one +o re&eats -6stc ors '>es, ) t+n! ) see t no,' +e sa ater so-et-e, brg+tenng n a Hute transtor6 -anner

'Iell, ) o not -n tellng 6ou ) +a.e been at or! u&on t+s geo-etr6 o @our D-ensons or so-et-e Bo-e o -6 results are curous @or nstance, +ere s a &ortrat o a -an at eg+t 6ears ol,anot+er at teen, anot+er at se.enteen, anot+er at tent6t+ree, an so on (ll t+ese are e.entl6sectons, as t ere, *+reeD-ensonal re&resentatons o +s @ourD-ensone beng, +c+ s a 3ean unalterable t+ng

'Bcentc &eo&le,' &roceee t+e *-e *ra.eller, ater t+e &ause reHure or t+e &ro&er ass-laton o t+s, '!no .er6 ell t+at *-e s onl6 a !n o B&ace 5ere s a &o&ular scentc agra-, a eat+errecor *+s lne ) trace t+ -6 nger s+os t+e -o.e-ent o t+e baro-eter >estera6 t as so +g+,6estera6 ng+t t ell, t+en t+s -ornng t rose agan, an so gentl6 u&ar to +ere Burel6 t+e -ercur6

not trace t+s lne n an6 o t+e -ensons o B&ace generall6 recogn=e? ut certanl6 t tracesuc+ a lne, an t+at lne, t+ereore, e -ust conclue as along t+e *-eD-enson'

'ut,' sa t+e ecal an, starng +ar at a coal n t+e re, ' *-e s reall6 onl6 a ourt+ -enson o B&ace, +6 s t, an +6 +as t ala6s been, regare as so-et+ng erent? (n +6 cannot e-o.e n *-e as e -o.e about n t+e ot+er -ensons o B&ace?'

*+e *-e *ra.eller s-le '(re 6ou sure e can -o.e reel6 n B&ace? Rg+t an let e can go,bac!ar an orar reel6 enoug+, an -en ala6s +a.e one so ) a-t e -o.e reel6 n to-ensons ut +o about u& an on? Gra.taton l-ts us t+ere'

'Aot e3actl6,' sa t+e ecal an '*+ere are balloons'

'ut beore t+e balloons, sa.e or s&as-oc ju-&ng an t+e neHualtes o t+e surace, -an +a noreeo- o .ertcal -o.e-ent'

'Btll t+e6 coul -o.e a lttle u& an on,' sa t+e ecal an

'Easer, ar easer on t+an u&'

'(n 6ou cannot -o.e at all n *-e, 6ou cannot get aa6 ro- t+e &resent -o-ent'

'6 ear sr, t+at s just +ere 6ou are rong *+at s just +ere t+e +ole orl +as gone rong Ieare ala6s gettng aa6 ro- t+e &resent -o-ent Our -ental e3stences, +c+ are --ateral an+a.e no -ensons, are &assng along t+e *-eD-enson t+ a unor- .eloct6 ro- t+e crale to

t+e gra.e Just as e s+oul tra.el on e began our e3stence t6 -les abo.e t+e eart+'ssurace'

'ut t+e great Kcult6 s t+s,' nterru&te t+e Ps6c+ologst '>ou can -o.e about n all rectons o B&ace, but 6ou cannot -o.e about n *-e'

'*+at s t+e ger- o -6 great sco.er6 ut 6ou are rong to sa6 t+at e cannot -o.e about n *-e@or nstance, ) a- recallng an ncent .er6 ..l6 ) go bac! to t+e nstant o ts occurrence: ) beco-eabsent-ne, as 6ou sa6 ) ju-& bac! or a -o-ent O course e +a.e no -eans o sta6ng bac! oran6 lengt+ o *-e, an6 -ore t+an a sa.age or an an-al +as o sta6ng s3 eet abo.e t+e groun uta c.l=e -an s better o t+an t+e sa.age n t+s res&ect 5e can go u& aganst gra.taton n aballoon, an +6 s+oul +e not +o&e t+at ult-atel6 +e -a6 be able to sto& or accelerate +s rt alongt+e *-eD-enson, or e.en turn about an tra.el t+e ot+er a6?'

'O+, t+s,' began @lb6, 's all;<'

[2]



'I+6 not?' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller

')t's aganst reason,' sa @lb6

'I+at reason?' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller

'>ou can s+o blac! s +te b6 argu-ent,' sa @lb6, 'but 6ou ll ne.er con.nce -e'

'Possbl6 not,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller 'ut no 6ou begn to see t+e object o -6 n.estgatons nto t+e

geo-etr6 o @our D-ensons %ong ago ) +a a .ague n!lng o a -ac+ne;<'

'*o tra.el t+roug+ *-eL' e3cla-e t+e Mer6 >oung an

'*+at s+all tra.el nerentl6 n an6 recton o B&ace an *-e, as t+e r.er eter-nes'

@lb6 contente +-sel t+ laug+ter

'ut ) +a.e e3&er-ental .ercaton,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller

')t oul be re-ar!abl6 con.enent or t+e +storan,' t+e Ps6c+ologst suggeste 'One -g+t tra.elbac! an .er6 t+e acce&te account o t+e attle o 5astngs, or nstanceL'

'Don't 6ou t+n! 6ou oul attract attenton?' sa t+e ecal an 'Our ancestors +a no great tolerance or anac+rons-s'

'One -g+t get one's Gree! ro- t+e .er6 l&s o 5o-er an Plato,' t+e Mer6 >oung an t+oug+t

')n +c+ case t+e6 oul certanl6 &loug+ 6ou or t+e %ttlego *+e Ger-an sc+olars +a.e -&ro.e Gree! so -uc+'

'*+en t+ere s t+e uture,' sa t+e Mer6 >oung an 'Just t+n!L One -g+t n.est all one's -one6, lea.et to accu-ulate at nterest, an +urr6 on a+eaL'

'*o sco.er a socet6,' sa ), 'erecte on a strctl6 co--unstc bass'

'O all t+e l e3tra.agant t+eoresL' began t+e Ps6c+ologst

'>es, so t see-e to -e, an so ) ne.er tal!e o t untl;<'

'E3&er-ental .ercatonL' cre ) '>ou are gong to .er6 t+at?'

'*+e e3&er-entL' cre @lb6, +o as gettng branear6

'%et's see 6our e3&er-ent an6+o,' sa t+e Ps6c+ologst, 't+oug+ t's all +u-bug, 6ou !no'

*+e *-e *ra.eller s-le roun at us *+en, stll s-lng antl6, an t+ +s +ans ee& n +s trousers&oc!ets, +e al!e slol6 out o t+e roo-, an e +ear +s sl&&ers s+uNng on t+e long &assageto +s laborator6

*+e Ps6c+ologst loo!e at us ') oner +at +e's got?'

'Bo-e sleg+to+an trc! or ot+er,' sa t+e ecal an, an @lb6 tre to tell us about a conjurer +e +a seen at ursle- but beore +e +a ns+e +s &reace t+e *-e *ra.eller ca-e bac!, an @lb6's anecote colla&se

*+e t+ng t+e *-e *ra.eller +el n +s +an as a gltterng -etallc ra-eor!, scarcel6 larger t+an a

s-all cloc!, an .er6 elcatel6 -ae *+ere as .or6 n t, an so-e trans&arent cr6stallnesubstance (n no ) -ust be e3&lct, or t+s t+at ollos;<unless +s e3&lanaton s to beacce&te;<s an absolutel6 unaccountable t+ng 5e too! one o t+e s-all octagonal tables t+at ere

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scattere about t+e roo-, an set t n ront o t+e re, t+ to legs on t+e +eart+rug On t+s table +e&lace t+e -ec+ans- *+en +e re u& a c+ar, an sat on *+e onl6 ot+er object on t+e table asa s-all s+ae la-&, t+e brg+t lg+t o +c+ ell u&on t+e -oel *+ere ere also &er+a&s a o=encanles about, to n brass canlestc!s u&on t+e -antel an se.eral n sconces, so t+at t+e roo- asbrllantl6 llu-nate ) sat n a lo ar-c+ar nearest t+e re, an ) re t+s orar so as to beal-ost beteen t+e *-e *ra.eller an t+e re&lace @lb6 sat be+n +-, loo!ng o.er +s s+ouler *+e ecal an an t+e Pro.ncal a6or atc+e +- n &role ro- t+e rg+t, t+e Ps6c+ologst ro-t+e let *+e Mer6 >oung an stoo be+n t+e Ps6c+ologst Ie ere all on t+e alert )t a&&earsncreble to -e t+at an6 !n o trc!, +oe.er subtl6 conce.e an +oe.er arotl6 one, coul

+a.e been &la6e u&on us uner t+ese contons

*+e *-e *ra.eller loo!e at us, an t+en at t+e -ec+ans- 'Iell?' sa t+e Ps6c+ologst

'*+s lttle aar,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller, restng +s elbos u&on t+e table an &ressng +s +anstoget+er abo.e t+e a&&aratus, 's onl6 a -oel )t s -6 &lan or a -ac+ne to tra.el t+roug+ t-e >oull notce t+at t loo!s sngularl6 as!e, an t+at t+ere s an o tn!lng a&&earance about t+s bar,as t+oug+ t as n so-e a6 unreal' 5e &onte to t+e &art t+ +s nger '(lso, +ere s one lttle+te le.er, an +ere s anot+er'

*+e ecal an got u& out o +s c+ar an &eere nto t+e t+ng ')t's beautull6 -ae,' +e sa

')t too! to 6ears to -a!e,' retorte t+e *-e *ra.eller *+en, +en e +a all -tate t+e acton o t+eecal an, +e sa: 'Ao ) ant 6ou clearl6 to unerstan t+at t+s le.er, beng &resse o.er, senst+e -ac+ne glng nto t+e uture, an t+s ot+er re.erses t+e -oton *+s sale re&resents t+e seato a t-e tra.eller Presentl6 ) a- gong to &ress t+e le.er, an o t+e -ac+ne ll go )t ll .ans+,&ass nto uture *-e, an sa&&ear 5a.e a goo loo! at t+e t+ng %oo! at t+e table too, an sats66oursel.es t+ere s no trc!er6 ) on't ant to aste t+s -oel, an t+en be tol )'- a Huac!'

*+ere as a -nute's &ause &er+a&s *+e Ps6c+ologst see-e about to s&ea! to -e, but c+ange +s-n *+en t+e *-e *ra.eller &ut ort+ +s nger toars t+e le.er 'Ao,' +e sa suenl6 '%en -e6our +an' (n turnng to t+e Ps6c+ologst, +e too! t+at n.ual's +an n +s on an tol +- to&ut out +s orenger Bo t+at t as t+e Ps6c+ologst +-sel +o sent ort+ t+e -oel *-e ac+ne onts nter-nable .o6age Ie all sa t+e le.er turn ) a- absolutel6 certan t+ere as no trc!er6 *+ereas a breat+ o n, an t+e la-& 7a-e ju-&e One o t+e canles on t+e -antel as blon out,an t+e lttle -ac+ne suenl6 sung roun, beca-e nstnct, as seen as a g+ost or a secon&er+a&s, as an e6 o antl6 gltterng brass an .or6 an t as gone;<.ans+eL Ba.e or t+e la-&t+e table as bare

E.er6one as slent or a -nute *+en @lb6 sa +e as a-ne

*+e Ps6c+ologst reco.ere ro- +s stu&or, an suenl6 loo!e uner t+e table (t t+at t+e *-e *ra.eller laug+e c+eerull6 'Iell?' +e sa, t+ a re-nscence o t+e Ps6c+ologst *+en, gettng u&,+e ent to t+e tobacco jar on t+e -antel, an t+ +s bac! to us began to ll +s &&e

Ie stare at eac+ ot+er '%oo! +ere,' sa t+e ecal an, 'are 6ou n earnest about t+s? Do 6ou

serousl6 bele.e t+at t+at -ac+ne +as tra.elle nto t-e?'

'Certanl6,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller, stoo&ng to lg+t a s&ll at t+e re *+en +e turne, lg+tng +s &&e,to loo! at t+e Ps6c+ologst's ace /*+e Ps6c+ologst, to s+o t+at +e as not un+nge, +el&e +-sel to a cgar an tre to lg+t t uncut 'I+at s -ore, ) +a.e a bg -ac+ne nearl6 ns+e n t+ere';<+encate t+e laborator6;<'an +en t+at s &ut toget+er ) -ean to +a.e a journe6 on -6 onaccount'

'>ou -ean to sa6 t+at t+at -ac+ne +as tra.elle nto t+e uture?' sa @lb6

')nto t+e uture or t+e &ast;<) on't, or certan, !no +c+'

(ter an nter.al t+e Ps6c+ologst +a an ns&raton ')t -ust +a.e gone nto t+e &ast t +as gone

an6+ere,' +e sa

'I+6?' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller

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'ecause ) &resu-e t+at t +as not -o.e n s&ace, an t tra.elle nto t+e uture t oul stll be+ere all t+s t-e, snce t -ust +a.e tra.elle t+roug+ t+s t-e'

'ut,' ) sa, ') t tra.elle nto t+e &ast t oul +a.e been .sble +en e ca-e rst nto t+s roo-an last *+ursa6 +en e ere +ere an t+e *+ursa6 beore t+at an so ort+L'

'Berous objectons,' re-ar!e t+e Pro.ncal a6or, t+ an ar o -&artalt6, turnng toars t+e *-e *ra.eller

'Aot a bt,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller, an, to t+e Ps6c+ologst: '>ou t+n! >ou can e3&lan t+at )t's&resentaton belo t+e t+res+ol, 6ou !no, lute &resentaton'

'O course,' sa t+e Ps6c+ologst, an reassure us '*+at's a s-&le &ont o &s6c+olog6 ) s+oul +a.et+oug+t o t )t's &lan enoug+, an +el&s t+e &arao3 elg+tull6 Ie cannot see t, nor can ea&&recate t+s -ac+ne, an6 -ore t+an e can t+e s&o!e o a +eel s&nnng, or a bullet 76ng t+roug+t+e ar ) t s tra.ellng t+roug+ t-e t6 t-es or a +unre t-es aster t+an e are, t gets t+roug+a -nute +le e get t+roug+ a secon, t+e -&resson t creates ll o course be onl6 onetet+ orone+unret+ o +at t oul -a!e t ere not tra.ellng n t-e *+at's &lan enoug+' 5e &asse+s +an t+roug+ t+e s&ace n +c+ t+e -ac+ne +a been '>ou see?' +e sa, laug+ng

Ie sat an stare at t+e .acant table or a -nute or so *+en t+e

*-e *ra.eller as!e us +at e t+oug+t o t all

')t souns &lausble enoug+ tong+t,' sa t+e ecal an 'but at untl to-orro Iat or t+eco--on sense o t+e -ornng'

'Ioul 6ou l!e to see t+e *-e ac+ne tsel?' as!e t+e *-e *ra.eller (n t+eret+, ta!ng t+ela-& n +s +an, +e le t+e a6 on t+e long, raug+t6 corror to +s laborator6 ) re-e-ber ..l6t+e 7c!erng lg+t, +s Hueer, broa +ea n sl+ouette, t+e ance o t+e s+aos, +o e all olloe+-, &u==le but ncreulous, an +o t+ere n t+e laborator6 e be+el a larger eton o t+e lttle-ec+ans- +c+ e +a seen .ans+ ro- beore our e6es Parts ere o nc!el, &arts o .or6, &arts+a certanl6 been le or san out o roc! cr6stal *+e t+ng as generall6 co-&lete, but t+e tstecr6stallne bars la6 unns+e u&on t+e benc+ bese so-e s+eets o rangs, an ) too! one u& or abetter loo! at t uart= t see-e to be

'%oo! +ere,' sa t+e ecal an, 'are 6ou &erectl6 serous? Or s t+s a trc!;<l!e t+at g+ost 6ou s+oe us last C+rst-as?'

'&on t+at -ac+ne,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller, +olng t+e la-& alot, ') nten to e3&lore t-e )s t+at&lan? ) as ne.er -ore serous n -6 le'

Aone o us Hute !ne +o to ta!e t

) caug+t @lb6's e6e o.er t+e s+ouler o t+e ecal an, an +e n!e at -e sole-nl6

))

) t+n! t+at at t+at t-e none o us Hute bele.e n t+e *-e ac+ne *+e act s, t+e *-e *ra.elleras one o t+ose -en +o are too cle.er to be bele.e: 6ou ne.er elt t+at 6ou sa all roun +- 6ouala6s sus&ecte so-e subtle reser.e, so-e ngenut6 n a-bus+, be+n +s luc ran!ness 5a @lb6s+on t+e -oel an e3&lane t+e -atter n t+e *-e *ra.eller's ors, e s+oul +a.e s+on +- arless sce&tcs- @or e s+oul +a.e &erce.e +s -ot.es a &or! butc+er coul unerstan @lb6 utt+e *-e *ra.eller +a -ore t+an a touc+ o +- a-ong +s ele-ents, an e struste +- *+ngst+at oul +a.e -ae t+e ra-e o a less cle.er -an see-e trc!s n +s +ans )t s a -sta!e to ot+ngs too easl6 *+e serous &eo&le +o too! +- serousl6 ne.er elt Hute sure o +s e&ort-entt+e6 ere so-e+o aare t+at trustng t+er re&utatons or jug-ent t+ +- as l!e urns+ng anurser6 t+ eggs+ell c+na Bo ) on't t+n! an6 o us sa .er6 -uc+ about t-e tra.ellng n t+e

nter.al beteen t+at *+ursa6 an t+e ne3t, t+oug+ ts o &otentaltes ran, no oubt, n -ost o our-ns: ts &lausblt6, t+at s, ts &ractcal ncrebleness, t+e curous &ossbltes o anac+rons- an o utter conuson t suggeste @or -6 on &art, ) as &artcularl6 &reoccu&e t+ t+e trc! o t+e

[$]



-oel *+at ) re-e-ber scussng t+ t+e ecal an, +o- ) -et on @ra6 at t+e %nnaean 5esa +e +a seen a s-lar t+ng at *ubngen, an la conserable stress on t+e blong out o t+ecanle ut +o t+e trc! as one +e coul not e3&lan

*+e ne3t *+ursa6 ) ent agan to Rc+-on;<) su&&ose ) as one o t+e *-e *ra.eller's -ostconstant guests;<an, arr.ng late, oun our or .e -en alrea6 asse-ble n +s rangroo- *+e ecal an as stanng beore t+e re t+ a s+eet o &a&er n one +an an +s atc+ n t+eot+er ) loo!e roun or t+e *-e *ra.eller, an;<')t's +al&ast se.en no,' sa t+e ecal an ')su&&ose e' better +a.e nner?'

'I+ere's;<;<?' sa ), na-ng our +ost

'>ou'.e just co-e? )t's rat+er o 5e's una.oabl6 etane 5e as!s -e n t+s note to lea o t+nner at se.en +e's not bac! Ba6s +e'll e3&lan +en +e co-es'

')t see-s a &t6 to let t+e nner s&ol,' sa t+e Etor o a ell!non al6 &a&er an t+ereu&on t+eDoctor rang t+e bell

*+e Ps6c+ologst as t+e onl6 &erson beses t+e Doctor an -6sel +o +a attene t+e &re.ousnner *+e ot+er -en ere lan!, t+e Etor aore-entone, a certan journalst, an anot+er;<aHuet, s+6 -an t+ a bear;<+o- ) n't !no, an +o, as ar as -6 obser.aton ent, ne.ero&ene +s -out+ all t+e e.enng *+ere as so-e s&eculaton at t+e nnertable about t+e *-e

*ra.eller's absence, an ) suggeste t-e tra.ellng, n a +aljocular s&rt *+e Etor ante t+ate3&lane to +-, an t+e Ps6c+ologst .olunteere a ooen account o t+e 'ngenous &arao3 antrc!' e +a tnesse t+at a6 ee! 5e as n t+e -st o +s e3&oston +en t+e oor ro- t+ecorror o&ene slol6 an t+out nose ) as acng t+e oor, an sa t rst '5alloL' ) sa '(t lastL'(n t+e oor o&ene er, an t+e *-e *ra.eller stoo beore us ) ga.e a cr6 o sur&rse 'Goo+ea.ensL -an, +at's t+e -atter?' cre t+e ecal an, +o sa +- ne3t (n t+e +ole tableulturne toars t+e oor

5e as n an a-a=ng &lg+t 5s coat as ust6 an rt6, an s-eare t+ green on t+e slee.es+s +ar sorere, an as t see-e to -e gre6er;<et+er t+ ust an rt or because ts colour +aactuall6 ae 5s ace as g+astl6 &ale +s c+n +a a bron cut on t;<a cut +al +eale +se3&resson as +aggar an ran, as b6 ntense suerng @or a -o-ent +e +estate n t+e oora6,as +e +a been a==le b6 t+e lg+t *+en +e ca-e nto t+e roo- 5e al!e t+ just suc+ a l-& as )+a.e seen n ootsore tra-&s Ie stare at +- n slence, e3&ectng +- to s&ea!

5e sa not a or, but ca-e &anull6 to t+e table, an -ae a -oton toars t+e ne *+e Etorlle a glass o c+a-&agne, an &us+e t toars +- 5e rane t, an t see-e to o +- goo:or +e loo!e roun t+e table, an t+e g+ost o +s ol s-le 7c!ere across +s ace 'I+at on eart++a.e 6ou been u& to, -an?' sa t+e Doctor *+e *-e *ra.eller not see- to +ear 'Don't let -esturb 6ou,' +e sa, t+ a certan alterng artculaton ')'- all rg+t' 5e sto&&e, +el out +s glassor -ore, an too! t o at a raug+t '*+at's goo,' +e sa 5s e6es gre brg+ter, an a ant colourca-e nto +s c+ee!s 5s glance 7c!ere o.er our aces t+ a certan ull a&&ro.al, an t+en entroun t+e ar- an co-ortable roo- *+en +e s&o!e agan, stll as t ere eelng +s a6 a-ong +sors ')'- gong to as+ an ress, an t+en )'ll co-e on an e3&lan t+ngs ;F Ba.e -e so-e o t+at -utton )'- star.ng or a bt o -eat'

5e loo!e across at t+e Etor, +o as a rare .stor, an +o&e +e as all rg+t *+e Etor began aHueston '*ell 6ou &resentl6,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller ')'-;<unn6L e all rg+t n a -nute'

5e &ut on +s glass, an al!e toars t+e starcase oor (gan ) re-ar!e +s la-eness an t+esot &ang soun o +s ootall, an stanng u& n -6 &lace, ) sa +s eet as +e ent out 5e +anot+ng on t+e- but a &ar o tattere, bloostane soc!s *+en t+e oor close u&on +- ) +a +al a-n to ollo, tll ) re-e-bere +o +e eteste an6 uss about +-sel @or a -nute, &er+a&s, -6-n as oolgat+erng *+en, 'Re-ar!able e+a.our o an E-nent Bcentst,' ) +ear t+e Etor sa6,t+n!ng /ater +s ont n +ealnes (n t+s broug+t -6 attenton bac! to t+e brg+t nnertable

'I+at's t+e ga-e?' sa t+e Journalst '5as +e been ong t+e (-ateur Cager? ) on't ollo' ) -ett+e e6e o t+e Ps6c+ologst, an rea -6 on nter&retaton n +s ace ) t+oug+t o t+e *-e *ra.eller

l-&ng &anull6 u&stars ) on't t+n! an6 one else +a notce +s la-eness

[Q]



*+e rst to reco.er co-&letel6 ro- t+s sur&rse as t+e ecal an, +o rang t+e bell;<t+e *-e *ra.eller +ate to +a.e ser.ants atng at nner;<or a +ot &late (t t+at t+e Etor turne to +s!ne an or! t+ a grunt, an t+e Blent an olloe sut *+e nner as resu-e Con.ersatonas e3cla-ator6 or a lttle +le, t+ ga&s o oner-ent an t+en t+e Etor got er.ent n +scurost6 'Does our ren e!e out +s -oest nco-e t+ a crossng? or +as +e +s Aebuc+ane==ar&+ases?' +e nHure ') eel assure t's t+s busness o t+e *-e ac+ne,' ) sa, an too! u& t+ePs6c+ologst's account o our &re.ous -eetng *+e ne guests ere ran!l6 ncreulous *+e Etorrase objectons 'I+at as t+s t-e tra.ellng? ( -an couln't co.er +-sel t+ ust b6 rollng n a&arao3, coul +e?' (n t+en, as t+e ea ca-e +o-e to +-, +e resorte to carcature 5an't t+e6 an6

clot+esbrus+es n t+e @uture? *+e Journalst too, oul not bele.e at an6 &rce, an jone t+e Etorn t+e eas6 or! o +ea&ng rcule on t+e +ole t+ng *+e6 ere bot+ t+e ne !n o journalst;<.er6 jo6ous, rre.erent 6oung -en 'Our B&ecal Corres&onent n t+e Da6 ater *o-orrore&orts,' t+e Journalst as sa6ng;<or rat+er s+outng;<+en t+e *-e *ra.eller ca-e bac! 5e asresse n ornar6 e.enng clot+es, an not+ng sa.e +s +aggar loo! re-ane o t+e c+ange t+at+a startle -e

') sa6,' sa t+e Etor +larousl6, 't+ese c+a&s +ere sa6 6ou +a.e been tra.ellng nto t+e -le o ne3t ee!L *ell us all about lttle Roseber6, ll 6ou? I+at ll 6ou ta!e or t+e lot?'

*+e *-e *ra.eller ca-e to t+e &lace reser.e or +- t+out a or 5e s-le Huetl6, n +s ol a6'I+ere's -6 -utton?' +e sa 'I+at a treat t s to stc! a or! nto -eat aganL'

'Btor6L' cre t+e Etor

'Btor6 be a-neL' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller ') ant so-et+ng to eat ) on't sa6 a or untl ) get so-e&e&tone nto -6 arteres *+an!s (n t+e salt'

'One or,' sa ) '5a.e 6ou been t-e tra.ellng?'

'>es,' sa t+e *-e *ra.eller, t+ +s -out+ ull, nong +s +ea

')' g.e a s+llng a lne or a .erbat- note,' sa t+e Etor *+e *-e *ra.eller &us+e +s glasstoars t+e Blent an an rang t t+ +s ngernal at +c+ t+e Blent an, +o +a been starng at+s ace, starte con.uls.el6, an &oure +- ne *+e rest o t+e nner as unco-ortable @or -6on &art, suen Huestons !e&t on rsng to -6 l&s, an ) are sa6 t as t+e sa-e t+ t+e ot+ers *+e Journalst tre to rele.e t+e tenson b6 tellng anecotes o 5ette Potter *+e *-e *ra.ellere.ote +s attenton to +s nner, an s&la6e t+e a&&ette o a tra-& *+e ecal an s-o!e acgarette, an atc+e t+e *-e *ra.eller t+roug+ +s e6elas+es *+e Blent an see-e e.en -oreclu-s6 t+an usual, an ran! c+a-&agne t+ regulart6 an eter-naton out o s+eer ner.ousness(t last t+e *-e *ra.eller &us+e +s &late aa6, an loo!e roun us ') su&&ose ) -ust a&olog=e,' +esa ') as s-&l6 star.ng )'.e +a a -ost a-a=ng t-e' 5e reac+e out +s +an or a cgar, an cutt+e en 'ut co-e nto t+e s-o!ngroo- )t's too long a stor6 to tell o.er greas6 &lates' (n rngngt+e bell n &assng, +e le t+e a6 nto t+e ajonng roo-

'>ou +a.e tol lan!, an Das+, an C+ose about t+e -ac+ne?' +e sa to -e, leanng bac! n +s eas6c+ar an na-ng t+e t+ree ne guests

'ut t+e t+ng's a -ere &arao3,' sa t+e Etor

') can't argue tong+t ) on't -n tellng 6ou t+e stor6, but ) can't argue ) ll,' +e ent on, 'tell 6out+e stor6 o +at +as +a&&ene to -e, 6ou l!e, but 6ou -ust reran ro- nterru&tons ) ant to tellt al6 ost o t ll soun l!e l6ng Bo be tL )t's true;<e.er6 or o t, all t+e sa-e ) as n -6laborator6 at our o'cloc!, an snce t+en ;F )'.e l.e eg+t a6s ;F suc+ a6s as no +u-an benge.er l.e beoreL )'- nearl6 orn out, but ) s+an't slee& tll )'.e tol t+s t+ng o.er to 6ou *+en ) s+allgo to be ut no nterru&tonsL )s t agree?'

'(gree,' sa t+e Etor, an t+e rest o us ec+oe '(gree' (n t+ t+at t+e *-e *ra.eller began +sstor6 as ) +a.e set t ort+ 5e sat bac! n +s c+ar at rst, an s&o!e l!e a ear6 -an (terars +egot -ore an-ate )n rtng t on ) eel t+ onl6 too -uc+ !eenness t+e naeHuac6 o &en ann!;<an, abo.e all, -6 on naeHuac6;<to e3&ress ts Hualt6 >ou rea, ) ll su&&ose, attent.el6

enoug+ but 6ou cannot see t+e s&ea!er's +te, sncere ace n t+e brg+t crcle o t+e lttle la-&, nor+ear t+e ntonaton o +s .oce >ou cannot !no +o +s e3&resson olloe t+e turns o +s stor6Lost o us +earers ere n s+ao, or t+e canles n t+e s-o!ngroo- +a not been lg+te, an onl6

[]



t+e ace o t+e Journalst an t+e legs o t+e Blent an ro- t+e !nees onar ere llu-nate (trst e glance no an agan at eac+ ot+er (ter a t-e e cease to o t+at, an loo!e onl6 at t+e *-e *ra.eller's ace

)))

') tol so-e o 6ou last *+ursa6 o t+e &rnc&les o t+e *-e ac+ne, an s+oe 6ou t+e actualt+ng tsel, nco-&lete n t+e or!s+o& *+ere t s no, a lttle tra.elorn, trul6 an one o t+e .or6bars s crac!e, an a brass ral bent but t+e rest o t's soun enoug+ ) e3&ecte to ns+ t on @ra6,

but on @ra6, +en t+e &uttng toget+er as nearl6 one, ) oun t+at one o t+e nc!el bars ase3actl6 one nc+ too s+ort, an t+s ) +a to get re-ae so t+at t+e t+ng as not co-&lete untl t+s-ornng )t as at ten o'cloc! toa6 t+at t+e rst o all *-e ac+nes began ts career ) ga.e t a lastta&, tre all t+e scres agan, &ut one -ore ro& o ol on t+e Huart= ro, an sat -6sel n t+e sale) su&&ose a suce +o +ols a &stol to +s s!ull eels -uc+ t+e sa-e oner at +at ll co-e ne3tas ) elt t+en ) too! t+e startng le.er n one +an an t+e sto&&ng one n t+e ot+er, &resse t+e rst,an al-ost --eatel6 t+e secon ) see-e to reel ) elt a ng+t-are sensaton o allng an,loo!ng roun, ) sa t+e laborator6 e3actl6 as beore 5a an6t+ng +a&&ene? @or a -o-ent )sus&ecte t+at -6 ntellect +a trc!e -e *+en ) note t+e cloc! ( -o-ent beore, as t see-e, t+a stoo at a -nute or so &ast ten no t as nearl6 +al&ast t+reeL

') re a breat+, set -6 teet+, gr&&e t+e startng le.er t+ bot+ +ans, an ent o t+ a t+u *+elaborator6 got +a=6 an ent ar! rs Iatc+ett ca-e n an al!e, a&&arentl6 t+out seeng -e,

toars t+e garen oor ) su&&ose t too! +er a -nute or so to tra.erse t+e &lace, but to -e s+esee-e to s+oot across t+e roo- l!e a roc!et ) &resse t+e le.er o.er to ts e3tre-e &oston *+eng+t ca-e l!e t+e turnng out o a la-&, an n anot+er -o-ent ca-e to-orro *+e laborator6 greant an +a=6, t+en anter an e.er anter *o-orro ng+t ca-e blac!, t+en a6 agan, ng+t agan,a6 agan, aster an aster stll (n e6ng -ur-ur lle -6 ears, an a strange, u-b conusenessescene on -6 -n

') a- ara ) cannot con.e6 t+e &ecular sensatons o t-e tra.ellng *+e6 are e3cess.el6 un&leasant *+ere s a eelng e3actl6 l!e t+at one +as u&on a stc+bac!;<o a +el&less +ealong -otonL ) eltt+e sa-e +orrble antc&aton, too, o an --nent s-as+ (s ) &ut on &ace, ng+t olloe a6 l!e t+e7a&&ng o a blac! ng *+e - suggeston o t+e laborator6 see-e &resentl6 to all aa6 ro- -e,an ) sa t+e sun +o&&ng stl6 across t+e s!6, lea&ng t e.er6 -nute, an e.er6 -nute -ar!ng aa6 ) su&&ose t+e laborator6 +a been estro6e an ) +a co-e nto t+e o&en ar ) +a a --&resson o scaolng, but ) as alrea6 gong too ast to be conscous o an6 -o.ng t+ngs *+esloest snal t+at e.er crale as+e b6 too ast or -e *+e tn!lng successon o ar!ness anlg+t as e3cess.el6 &anul to t+e e6e *+en, n t+e nter-ttent ar!nesses, ) sa t+e -oon s&nnngstl6 t+roug+ +er Huarters rone to ull, an +a a ant gl-&se o t+e crclng stars Presentl6, as )ent on, stll ganng .eloct6, t+e &al&taton o ng+t an a6 -erge nto one contnuous gre6nesst+e s!6 too! on a onerul ee&ness o blue, a s&len lu-nous color l!e t+at o earl6 tlg+t t+e jer!ng sun beca-e a strea! o re, a brllant arc+, n s&ace t+e -oon a anter 7uctuatng ban an )coul see not+ng o t+e stars, sa.e no an t+en a brg+ter crcle 7c!erng n t+e blue

'*+e lansca&e as -st6 an .ague ) as stll on t+e +llse u&on +c+ t+s +ouse no stans, ant+e s+ouler rose abo.e -e gre6 an - ) sa trees grong an c+angng l!e &us o .a&our, nobron, no green t+e6 gre, s&rea, s+.ere, an &asse aa6 ) sa +uge bulngs rse u& ant an

ar, an &ass l!e rea-s *+e +ole surace o t+e eart+ see-e c+ange;<-eltng an 7onguner -6 e6es *+e lttle +ans u&on t+e als t+at regstere -6 s&ee race roun aster an asterPresentl6 ) note t+at t+e sun belt sa6e u& an on, ro- solstce to solstce, n a -nute or less,an t+at conseHuentl6 -6 &ace as o.er a 6ear a -nute an -nute b6 -nute t+e +te sno7as+e across t+e orl, an .ans+e, an as olloe b6 t+e brg+t, bre green o s&rng

'*+e un&leasant sensatons o t+e start ere less &ognant no *+e6 -erge at last nto a !n o +6stercal e3+laraton ) re-ar!e nee a clu-s6 sa6ng o t+e -ac+ne, or +c+ ) as unable toaccount ut -6 -n as too conuse to atten to t, so t+ a !n o -aness grong u&on -e, )7ung -6sel nto uturt6 (t rst ) scarce t+oug+t o sto&&ng, scarce t+oug+t o an6t+ng but t+ese nesensatons ut &resentl6 a res+ seres o -&ressons gre u& n -6 -n;<a certan curost6 ant+eret+ a certan rea;<untl at last t+e6 too! co-&lete &ossesson o -e I+at strangee.elo&-ents o +u-ant6, +at onerul a.ances u&on our ru-entar6 c.l=aton, ) t+oug+t,

-g+t not a&&ear +en ) ca-e to loo! nearl6 nto t+e - elus.e orl t+at race an 7uctuatebeore -6 e6esL ) sa great an s&len arc+tecture rsng about -e, -ore -ass.e t+an an6bulngs o our on t-e, an 6et, as t see-e, bult o gl--er an -st ) sa a rc+er green 7o u&

[8]



t+e +llse, an re-an t+ere, t+out an6 ntr6 nter-sson E.en t+roug+ t+e .el o -6 conusont+e eart+ see-e .er6 ar (n so -6 -n ca-e roun to t+e busness o sto&&ng

'*+e &ecular rs! la6 n t+e &ossblt6 o -6 nng so-e substance n t+e s&ace +c+ ), or t+e-ac+ne, occu&e Bo long as ) tra.elle at a +g+ .eloct6 t+roug+ t-e, t+s scarcel6 -attere ) as,so to s&ea!, attenuate;<as sl&&ng l!e a .a&our t+roug+ t+e nterstces o nter.enng substancesLut to co-e to a sto& n.ol.e t+e ja--ng o -6sel, -olecule b6 -olecule, nto +ate.er la6 n -6a6 -eant brngng -6 ato-s nto suc+ nt-ate contact t+ t+ose o t+e obstacle t+at a &roounc+e-cal reacton;<&ossbl6 a arreac+ng e3&loson;<oul result, an blo -6sel an -6

a&&aratus out o all &ossble -ensons;<nto t+e n!non *+s &ossblt6 +a occurre to -e aganan agan +le ) as -a!ng t+e -ac+ne but t+en ) +a c+eerull6 acce&te t as an una.oablers!;<one o t+e rs!s a -an +as got to ta!eL Ao t+e rs! as ne.table, ) no longer sa t n t+esa-e c+eerul lg+t *+e act s t+at, nsensbl6, t+e absolute strangeness o e.er6t+ng, t+e sc!l6 jarrng an sa6ng o t+e -ac+ne, abo.e all, t+e eelng o &rolonge allng, +a absolutel6 u&set -6ner.e ) tol -6sel t+at ) coul ne.er sto&, an t+ a gust o &etulance ) resol.e to sto& ort+t+%!e an -&atent ool, ) lugge o.er t+e le.er, an ncontnentl6 t+e t+ng ent reelng o.er, an ) as7ung +ealong t+roug+ t+e ar

'*+ere as t+e soun o a cla& o t+uner n -6 ears ) -a6 +a.e been stunne or a -o-ent ( &tless+al as +ssng roun -e, an ) as sttng on sot tur n ront o t+e o.erset -ac+ne E.er6t+ng stllsee-e gre6, but &resentl6 ) re-ar!e t+at t+e conuson n -6 ears as gone ) loo!e roun -e )as on +at see-e to be a lttle lan n a garen, surroune b6 r+ooenron bus+es, an ) notce

t+at t+er -au.e an &ur&le blosso-s ere ro&&ng n a s+oer uner t+e beatng o t+e +alstones *+e rebounng, ancng +al +ung n a clou o.er t+e -ac+ne, an ro.e along t+e groun l!e s-o!e)n a -o-ent ) as et to t+e s!n S@ne +os&talt6,S sa ), Sto a -an +o +as tra.elle nnu-erable6ears to see 6ouS

'Presentl6 ) t+oug+t +at a ool ) as to get et ) stoo u& an loo!e roun -e ( colossal gure,car.e a&&arentl6 n so-e +te stone, loo-e nstnctl6 be6on t+e r+ooenrons t+roug+ t+e+a=6 on&our ut all else o t+e orl as n.sble

'6 sensatons oul be +ar to escrbe (s t+e colu-ns o +al gre t+nner, ) sa t+e +te gure-ore stnctl6 )t as .er6 large, or a sl.er brc+tree touc+e ts s+ouler )t as o +te -arble, ns+a&e so-et+ng l!e a nge s&+n3, but t+e ngs, nstea o beng carre .ertcall6 at t+e ses,ere s&rea so t+at t see-e to +o.er *+e &eestal, t a&&eare to -e, as o bron=e, an as t+c!t+ .ergrs )t c+ance t+at t+e ace as toars -e t+e sg+tless e6es see-e to atc+ -e t+ereas t+e ant s+ao o a s-le on t+e l&s )t as greatl6 eat+erorn, an t+at -&arte anun&leasant suggeston o sease ) stoo loo!ng at t or a lttle s&ace;<+al a -nute, &er+a&s, or+al an +our )t see-e to a.ance an to recee as t+e +al ro.e beore t enser or t+nner (t last )tore -6 e6es ro- t or a -o-ent an sa t+at t+e +al curtan +a orn t+reabare, an t+at t+e s!6as lg+tenng t+ t+e &ro-se o t+e sun

') loo!e u& agan at t+e crouc+ng +te s+a&e, an t+e ull te-ert6 o -6 .o6age ca-e suenl6u&on -e I+at -g+t a&&ear +en t+at +a=6 curtan as altoget+er t+ran? I+at -g+t not +a.e+a&&ene to -en? I+at cruelt6 +a gron nto a co--on &asson? I+at n t+s nter.al t+e race+a lost ts -anlness an +a e.elo&e nto so-et+ng n+u-an, uns6-&at+etc, an o.er+el-ngl6&oerul? ) -g+t see- so-e olorl sa.age an-al, onl6 t+e -ore reaul an sgustng or our

co--on l!eness;<a oul creature to be ncontnentl6 slan

'(lrea6 ) sa ot+er .ast s+a&es;<+uge bulngs t+ ntrcate &ara&ets an tall colu-ns, t+ aooe +llse -l6 cree&ng n u&on -e t+roug+ t+e lessenng stor- ) as se=e t+ a &anc ear) turne rantcall6 to t+e *-e ac+ne, an stro.e +ar to reajust t (s ) so t+e s+ats o t+e suns-ote t+roug+ t+e t+unerstor- *+e gre6 on&our as se&t ase an .ans+e l!e t+e tralnggar-ents o a g+ost (bo.e -e, n t+e ntense blue o t+e su--er s!6, so-e ant bron s+res o clou +rle nto not+ngness *+e great bulngs about -e stoo out clear an stnct, s+nng t+t+e et o t+e t+unerstor-, an &c!e out n +te b6 t+e un-elte +alstones &le along t+ercourses ) elt na!e n a strange orl ) elt as &er+a&s a br -a6 eel n t+e clear ar, !nong t+e+a! ngs abo.e an ll soo& 6 ear gre to ren=6 ) too! a breat+ng s&ace, set -6 teet+, anagan gra&&le ercel6, rst an !nee, t+ t+e -ac+ne )t ga.e uner -6 es&erate onset anturne o.er )t struc! -6 c+n .olentl6 One +an on t+e sale, t+e ot+er on t+e le.er, ) stoo &antng

+ea.l6 n atttue to -ount agan

[9]



'ut t+ t+s reco.er6 o a &ro-&t retreat -6 courage reco.ere ) loo!e -ore curousl6 an lessearull6 at t+s orl o t+e re-ote uture )n a crcular o&enng, +g+ u& n t+e all o t+e nearer+ouse, ) sa a grou& o gures cla n rc+ sot robes *+e6 +a seen -e, an t+er aces ere rectetoars -e

'*+en ) +ear .oces a&&roac+ng -e Co-ng t+roug+ t+e bus+es b6 t+e I+te B&+n3 ere t+e +easan s+oulers o -en runnng One o t+ese e-erge n a &at+a6 leang strag+t to t+e lttle lanu&on +c+ ) stoo t+ -6 -ac+ne 5e as a slg+t creature;<&er+a&s our eet +g+;<cla n a&ur&le tunc, grle at t+e ast t+ a leat+er belt Banals or bus!ns;<) coul not clearl6 stngus+

+c+;<ere on +s eet +s legs ere bare to t+e !nees, an +s +ea as bare Aotcng t+at, )notce or t+e rst t-e +o ar- t+e ar as

'5e struc! -e as beng a .er6 beautul an graceul creature, but nescrbabl6 ral 5s 7us+e acere-ne -e o t+e -ore beautul !n o consu-&t.e;<t+at +ectc beaut6 o +c+ e use to +earso -uc+ (t t+e sg+t o +- ) suenl6 regane conence ) too! -6 +ans ro- t+e -ac+ne

)M

')n anot+er -o-ent e ere stanng ace to ace, ) an t+s ragle t+ng out o uturt6 5e ca-estrag+t u& to -e an laug+e nto -6 e6es *+e absence ro- +s bearng o an6 sgn o ear struc! -eat once *+en +e turne to t+e to ot+ers +o ere ollong +- an s&o!e to t+e- n a strange an.er6 seet an lHu tongue

'*+ere ere ot+ers co-ng, an &resentl6 a lttle grou& o &er+a&s eg+t or ten o t+ese e3Hustecreatures ere about -e One o t+e- aresse -e )t ca-e nto -6 +ea, ol6 enoug+, t+at -6.oce as too +ars+ an ee& or t+e- Bo ) s+oo! -6 +ea, an, &ontng to -6 ears, s+oo! t agan5e ca-e a ste& orar, +estate, an t+en touc+e -6 +an *+en ) elt ot+er sot lttle tentaclesu&on -6 bac! an s+oulers *+e6 ante to -a!e sure ) as real *+ere as not+ng n t+s at allalar-ng )nee, t+ere as so-et+ng n t+ese &rett6 lttle &eo&le t+at ns&re conence;<agraceul gentleness, a certan c+ll!e ease (n beses, t+e6 loo!e so ral t+at ) coul anc6 -6sel 7ngng t+e +ole o=en o t+e- about l!e nne&ns ut ) -ae a suen -oton to arn t+e- +en )sa t+er lttle &n! +ans eelng at t+e *-e ac+ne 5a&&l6 t+en, +en t as not too late, ) t+oug+to a anger ) +a +t+erto orgotten, an reac+ng o.er t+e bars o t+e -ac+ne ) unscree t+e lttlele.ers t+at oul set t n -oton, an &ut t+ese n -6 &oc!et *+en ) turne agan to see +at ) coulo n t+e a6 o co--uncaton

'(n t+en, loo!ng -ore nearl6 nto t+er eatures, ) sa so-e urt+er &eculartes n t+er Dresenc+na t6&e o &rettness *+er +ar, +c+ as unor-l6 curl6, ca-e to a s+ar& en at t+e nec! anc+ee! t+ere as not t+e antest suggeston o t on t+e ace, an t+er ears ere sngularl6 -nute *+e -out+s ere s-all, t+ brg+t re, rat+er t+n l&s, an t+e lttle c+ns ran to a &ont *+e e6esere large an -l an;<t+s -a6 see- egots- on -6 &art;<) ance e.en t+at t+ere as acertan lac! o t+e nterest ) -g+t +a.e e3&ecte n t+e-

'(s t+e6 -ae no eort to co--uncate t+ -e, but s-&l6 stoo roun -e s-lng an s&ea!ng nsot coong notes to eac+ ot+er, ) began t+e con.ersaton ) &onte to t+e *-e ac+ne an to -6sel *+en +estatng or a -o-ent +o to e3&ress t-e, ) &onte to t+e sun (t once a Huantl6 &rett6 lttlegure n c+eHuere &ur&le an +te olloe -6 gesture, an t+en astons+e -e b6 -tatng t+e

soun o t+uner

'@or a -o-ent ) as staggere, t+oug+ t+e -&ort o +s gesture as &lan enoug+ *+e Hueston +aco-e nto -6 -n abru&tl6: ere t+ese creatures ools? >ou -a6 +arl6 unerstan +o t too! -e >ou see ) +a ala6s antc&ate t+at t+e &eo&le o t+e 6ear Eg+t 5unre an *o *+ousan ooul be ncrebl6 n ront o us n !nolege, art, e.er6t+ng *+en one o t+e- suenl6 as!e -e aHueston t+at s+oe +- to be on t+e ntellectual le.el o one o our .e6earol c+lren;<as!e-e, n act, ) +a co-e ro- t+e sun n a t+unerstor-L )t let loose t+e jug-ent ) +a sus&eneu&on t+er clot+es, t+er ral lg+t l-bs, an ragle eatures ( 7o o sa&&ont-ent rus+e across-6 -n @or a -o-ent ) elt t+at ) +a bult t+e *-e ac+ne n .an

') noe, &onte to t+e sun, an ga.e t+e- suc+ a .. renerng o a t+unercla& as startle t+e- *+e6 all t+re a &ace or so an boe *+en ca-e one laug+ng toars -e, carr6ng a c+an o

beautul 7oers altoget+er ne to -e, an &ut t about -6 nec! *+e ea as rece.e t+-eloous a&&lause an &resentl6 t+e6 ere all runnng to an ro or 7oers, an laug+ngl6 7ngngt+e- u&on -e untl ) as al-ost s-ot+ere t+ blosso- >ou +o +a.e ne.er seen t+e l!e can

[10]



scarcel6 -agne +at elcate an onerul 7oers countless 6ears o culture +a create *+enso-eone suggeste t+at t+er &la6t+ng s+oul be e3+bte n t+e nearest bulng, an so ) as le&ast t+e s&+n3 o +te -arble, +c+ +a see-e to atc+ -e all t+e +le t+ a s-le at -6astons+-ent, toars a .ast gre6 ece o rette stone (s ) ent t+ t+e- t+e -e-or6 o -6conent antc&atons o a &roounl6 gra.e an ntellectual &ostert6 ca-e, t+ rresstble-err-ent, to -6 -n

'*+e bulng +a a +uge entr6, an as altoget+er o colossal -ensons ) as naturall6 -ostoccu&e t+ t+e grong cro o lttle &eo&le, an t+ t+e bg o&en &ortals t+at 6ane beore -e

s+ao6 an -6sterous 6 general -&resson o t+e orl ) sa o.er t+er +eas as a tangleaste o beautul bus+es an 7oers, a long neglecte an 6et eeless garen ) sa a nu-ber o tall s&!es o strange +te 7oers, -easurng a oot &er+a&s across t+e s&rea o t+e a3en &etals *+e6 gre scattere, as l, a-ong t+e .aregate s+rubs, but, as ) sa6, ) not e3a-ne t+e-closel6 at t+s t-e *+e *-e ac+ne as let eserte on t+e tur a-ong t+e r+ooenrons

'*+e arc+ o t+e oora6 as rc+l6 car.e, but naturall6 ) not obser.e t+e car.ng .er6 narrol6,t+oug+ ) ance ) sa suggestons o ol P+oencan ecoratons as ) &asse t+roug+, an t struc! -et+at t+e6 ere .er6 bal6 bro!en an eat+erorn Be.eral -ore brg+tl6 cla &eo&le -et -e n t+eoora6, an so e entere, ), resse n ng6 nneteent+centur6 gar-ents, loo!ng grotesHueenoug+, garlane t+ 7oers, an surroune b6 an e6ng -ass o brg+t, sotcolore robes ans+nng +te l-bs, n a -eloous +rl o laug+ter an laug+ng s&eec+

'*+e bg oora6 o&ene nto a &ro&ortonatel6 great +all +ung t+ bron *+e roo as n s+ao,an t+e nos, &artall6 gla=e t+ coloure glass an &artall6 ungla=e, a-tte a te-&erelg+t *+e 7oor as -ae u& o +uge bloc!s o so-e .er6 +ar +te -etal, not &lates norslabs;<bloc!s, an t as so -uc+ orn, as ) juge b6 t+e gong to an ro o &ast generatons, as tobe ee&l6 c+annelle along t+e -ore reHuente a6s *rans.erse to t+e lengt+ ere nnu-erabletables -ae o slabs o &ols+e stone, rase &er+a&s a oot ro- t+e 7oor, an u&on t+ese ere +ea&so ruts Bo-e ) recogn=e as a !n o +6&ertro&+e ras&berr6 an orange, but or t+e -ost &art t+e6ere strange

'eteen t+e tables as scattere a great nu-ber o cus+ons &on t+ese -6 conuctors seatet+e-sel.es, sgnng or -e to o l!ese It+ a &rett6 absence o cere-on6 t+e6 began to eat t+erut t+ t+er +ans, 7ngng &eel an stal!s, an so ort+, nto t+e roun o&enngs n t+e ses o t+etables ) as not loat+ to ollo t+er e3a-&le, or ) elt t+rst6 an +ungr6 (s ) so ) sur.e6e t+e +allat -6 lesure

'(n &er+a&s t+e t+ng t+at struc! -e -ost as ts la&ate loo! *+e staneglass nos, +c+s&la6e onl6 a geo-etrcal &attern, ere bro!en n -an6 &laces, an t+e curtans t+at +ung acrosst+e loer en ere t+c! t+ ust (n t caug+t -6 e6e t+at t+e corner o t+e -arble table near -eas racture Ae.ert+eless, t+e general eect as e3tre-el6 rc+ an &cturesHue *+ere ere,&er+a&s, a cou&le o +unre &eo&le nng n t+e +all, an -ost o t+e-, seate as near to -e as t+e6coul co-e, ere atc+ng -e t+ nterest, t+er lttle e6es s+nng o.er t+e rut t+e6 ere eatng (llere cla n t+e sa-e sot an 6et strong, sl!6 -ateral

'@rut, b6 t+e b6, as all t+er et *+ese &eo&le o t+e re-ote uture ere strct .egetarans, an +le) as t+ t+e-, n s&te o so-e carnal cra.ngs, ) +a to be rug.orous also )nee, ) oun

aterars t+at +orses, cattle, s+ee&, ogs, +a olloe t+e )c+t+6osaurus nto e3tncton ut t+eruts ere .er6 elg+tul one, n &artcular, t+at see-e to be n season all t+e t-e ) as t+ere;<a7our6 t+ng n a t+reese +us!;<as es&ecall6 goo, an ) -ae t -6 sta&le (t rst ) as &u==leb6 all t+ese strange ruts, an b6 t+e strange 7oers ) sa, but later ) began to &erce.e t+er -&ort

'5oe.er, ) a- tellng 6ou o -6 rut nner n t+e stant uture no Bo soon as -6 a&&ette as alttle c+ec!e, ) eter-ne to -a!e a resolute atte-&t to learn t+e s&eec+ o t+ese ne -en o -neClearl6 t+at as t+e ne3t t+ng to o *+e ruts see-e a con.enent t+ng to begn u&on, an +olngone o t+ese u& ) began a seres o nterrogat.e souns an gestures ) +a so-e conserableKcult6 n con.e6ng -6 -eanng (t rst -6 eorts -et t+ a stare o sur&rse or ne3tngus+ablelaug+ter, but &resentl6 a ar+are lttle creature see-e to gras& -6 ntenton an re&eate a na-e *+e6 +a to c+atter an e3&lan t+e busness at great lengt+ to eac+ ot+er, an -6 rst atte-&ts to-a!e t+e e3Huste lttle souns o t+er language cause an --ense a-ount o a-use-ent

5oe.er, ) elt l!e a sc+ool-aster a-st c+lren, an &ersste, an &resentl6 ) +a a score o nounsubstant.es at least at -6 co--an an t+en ) got to e-onstrat.e &ronouns, an e.en t+e .erb StoeatS ut t as slo or!, an t+e lttle &eo&le soon tre an ante to get aa6 ro- -6

[11]



nterrogatons, so ) eter-ne, rat+er o necesst6, to let t+e- g.e t+er lessons n lttle oses +ent+e6 elt nclne (n .er6 lttle oses ) oun t+e6 ere beore long, or ) ne.er -et &eo&le -orenolent or -ore easl6 atgue

'( Hueer t+ng ) soon sco.ere about -6 lttle +osts, an t+at as t+er lac! o nterest *+e6 oulco-e to -e t+ eager cres o astons+-ent, l!e c+lren, but l!e c+lren t+e6 oul soon sto&e3a-nng -e an aner aa6 ater so-e ot+er to6 *+e nner an -6 con.ersatonal begnnngsene, ) note or t+e rst t-e t+at al-ost all t+ose +o +a surroune -e at rst ere gone )t so, too, +o s&eel6 ) ca-e to sregar t+ese lttle &eo&le ) ent out t+roug+ t+e &ortal nto t+e

sunlt orl agan as soon as -6 +unger as satse ) as contnuall6 -eetng -ore o t+ese -en o t+e uture, +o oul ollo -e a lttle stance, c+atter an laug+ about -e, an, +a.ng s-le angestculate n a renl6 a6, lea.e -e agan to -6 on e.ces

'*+e cal- o e.enng as u&on t+e orl as ) e-erge ro- t+e great +all, an t+e scene as lt b6 t+ear- glo o t+e settng sun (t rst t+ngs ere .er6 conusng E.er6t+ng as so entrel6 erentro- t+e orl ) +a !non;<e.en t+e 7oers *+e bg bulng ) +a let as stuate on t+e slo&e o a broa r.er .alle6, but t+e *+a-es +a s+te &er+a&s a -le ro- ts &resent &oston ) resol.e to-ount to t+e su--t o a crest, &er+a&s a -le an a +al aa6, ro- +c+ ) coul get a er .e o t+s our &lanet n t+e 6ear Eg+t 5unre an *o *+ousan Be.en 5unre an One (D @or t+at, )s+oul e3&lan, as t+e ate t+e lttle als o -6 -ac+ne recore

'(s ) al!e ) as atc+ng or e.er6 -&resson t+at coul &ossbl6 +el& to e3&lan t+e conton o

runous s&lenour n +c+ ) oun t+e orl;<or runous t as ( lttle a6 u& t+e +ll, or nstance,as a great +ea& o grante, boun toget+er b6 -asses o alu-nu-, a .ast lab6rnt+ o &rec&tousalls an cru-&le +ea&s, a-st +c+ ere t+c! +ea&s o .er6 beautul &agoal!e&lants;<nettles &ossbl6;<but onerull6 tnte t+ bron about t+e lea.es, an nca&able o stngng )t as e.entl6 t+e erelct re-ans o so-e .ast structure, to +at en bult ) coul noteter-ne )t as +ere t+at ) as estne, at a later ate, to +a.e a .er6 strange e3&erence;<t+erst nt-aton o a stll stranger sco.er6;<but o t+at ) ll s&ea! n ts &ro&er &lace

'%oo!ng roun t+ a suen t+oug+t, ro- a terrace on +c+ ) reste or a +le, ) real=e t+at t+ereere no s-all +ouses to be seen (&&arentl6 t+e sngle +ouse, an &ossbl6 e.en t+e +ouse+ol, +a.ans+e 5ere an t+ere a-ong t+e greener6 ere &alacel!e bulngs, but t+e +ouse an t+ecottage, +c+ or- suc+ c+aracterstc eatures o our on Engls+ lansca&e, +a sa&&eare

'SCo--uns-,S sa ) to -6sel

'(n on t+e +eels o t+at ca-e anot+er t+oug+t ) loo!e at t+e +alo=en lttle gures t+at ereollong -e *+en, n a 7as+, ) &erce.e t+at all +a t+e sa-e or- o costu-e, t+e sa-e sot +arless.sage, an t+e sa-e grls+ rotunt6 o l-b )t -a6 see- strange, &er+a&s, t+at ) +a not notce t+sbeore ut e.er6t+ng as so strange Ao, ) sa t+e act &lanl6 enoug+ )n costu-e, an n all t+eerences o te3ture an bearng t+at no -ar! o t+e se3es ro- eac+ ot+er, t+ese &eo&le o t+euture ere al!e (n t+e c+lren see-e to -6 e6es to be but t+e -natures o t+er &arents ) juge, t+en, t+at t+e c+lren o t+at t-e ere e3tre-el6 &recocous, &+6scall6 at least, an ) ounaterars abunant .ercaton o -6 o&non

'Beeng t+e ease an securt6 n +c+ t+ese &eo&le ere l.ng, ) elt t+at t+s close rese-blance o t+e

se3es as ater all +at one oul e3&ect or t+e strengt+ o a -an an t+e sotness o a o-an, t+ensttuton o t+e a-l6, an t+e erentaton o occu&atons are -ere -ltant necesstes o an age o &+6scal orce +ere &o&ulaton s balance an abunant, -uc+ c+lbearng beco-es an e.l rat+ert+an a blessng to t+e Btate +ere .olence co-es but rarel6 an os&rng are secure, t+ere s lessnecesst6;<nee t+ere s no necesst6;<or an eKcent a-l6, an t+e s&ecal=aton o t+e se3est+ reerence to t+er c+lren's nees sa&&ears Ie see so-e begnnngs o t+s e.en n our ont-e, an n t+s uture age t as co-&lete *+s, ) -ust re-n 6ou, as -6 s&eculaton at t+e t-e%ater, ) as to a&&recate +o ar t ell s+ort o t+e realt6

'I+le ) as -usng u&on t+ese t+ngs, -6 attenton as attracte b6 a &rett6 lttle structure, l!e aell uner a cu&ola ) t+oug+t n a transtor6 a6 o t+e oness o ells stll e3stng, an t+enresu-e t+e t+rea o -6 s&eculatons *+ere ere no large bulngs toars t+e to& o t+e +ll, anas -6 al!ng &oers ere e.entl6 -raculous, ) as &resentl6 let alone or t+e rst t-e It+ a

strange sense o reeo- an a.enture ) &us+e on u& to t+e crest

[12]



'*+ere ) oun a seat o so-e 6ello -etal t+at ) not recogn=e, corroe n &laces t+ a !n o &n!s+ rust an +al s-ot+ere n sot -oss, t+e ar-rests cast an le nto t+e rese-blance o grKns' +eas ) sat on on t, an ) sur.e6e t+e broa .e o our ol orl uner t+e sunset o t+atlong a6 )t as as seet an ar a .e as ) +a.e e.er seen *+e sun +a alrea6 gone belo t+e+or=on an t+e est as 7a-ng gol, touc+e t+ so-e +or=ontal bars o &ur&le an cr-son eloas t+e .alle6 o t+e *+a-es, n +c+ t+e r.er la6 l!e a ban o burns+e steel ) +a.e alrea6s&o!en o t+e great &alaces otte about a-ong t+e .aregate greener6, so-e n runs an so-e stlloccu&e 5ere an t+ere rose a +te or sl.er6 gure n t+e aste garen o t+e eart+, +ere an t+ereca-e t+e s+ar& .ertcal lne o so-e cu&ola or obels! *+ere ere no +eges, no sgns o &ro&retar6

rg+ts, no e.ences o agrculture t+e +ole eart+ +a beco-e a garen

'Bo atc+ng, ) began to &ut -6 nter&retaton u&on t+e t+ngs ) +a seen, an as t s+a&e tsel to -et+at e.enng, -6 nter&retaton as so-et+ng n t+s a6 /(terars ) oun ) +a got onl6 a +altrut+;<or onl6 a gl-&se o one acet o t+e trut+

')t see-e to -e t+at ) +a +a&&ene u&on +u-ant6 u&on t+e ane *+e ru6 sunset set -e t+n!ngo t+e sunset o -an!n @or t+e rst t-e ) began to real=e an o conseHuence o t+e socal eort n+c+ e are at &resent engage (n 6et, co-e to t+n!, t s a logcal conseHuence enoug+ Btrengt+s t+e outco-e o nee securt6 sets a &re-u- on eebleness *+e or! o a-eloratng t+e contonso le;<t+e true c.l=ng &rocess t+at -a!es le -ore an -ore secure;<+a gone steal6 on to acl-a3 One tru-&+ o a unte +u-ant6 o.er Aature +a olloe anot+er *+ngs t+at are no -ererea-s +a beco-e &rojects elberatel6 &ut n +an an carre orar (n t+e +ar.est as +at )

saL

'(ter all, t+e santaton an t+e agrculture o toa6 are stll n t+e ru-entar6 stage *+e scence o our t-e +as attac!e but a lttle e&art-ent o t+e el o +u-an sease, but e.en so, t s&reas tso&eratons .er6 steal6 an &ersstentl6 Our agrculture an +ortculture estro6 a ee just +ere ant+ere an cult.ate &er+a&s a score or so o +oleso-e &lants, lea.ng t+e greater nu-ber to g+t outa balance as t+e6 can Ie -&ro.e our a.ourte &lants an an-als;<an +o e t+e6are;<grauall6 b6 select.e breeng no a ne an better &eac+, no a seeless gra&e, no aseeter an larger 7oer, no a -ore con.enent bree o cattle Ie -&ro.e t+e- grauall6, becauseour eals are .ague an tentat.e, an our !nolege s .er6 l-te because Aature, too, s s+6 anslo n our clu-s6 +ans Bo-e a6 all t+s ll be better organ=e, an stll better *+at s t+e rt o t+e current n s&te o t+e ees *+e +ole orl ll be ntellgent, eucate, an coo&eratngt+ngs ll -o.e aster an aster toars t+e subjugaton o Aature )n t+e en, sel6 an careull6 es+all reajust t+e balance o an-al an .egetable le to sut our +u-an nees

'*+s ajust-ent, ) sa6, -ust +a.e been one, an one ell one nee or all *-e, n t+e s&ace o *-e across +c+ -6 -ac+ne +a lea&e *+e ar as ree ro- gnats, t+e eart+ ro- ees or unge.er6+ere ere ruts an seet an elg+tul 7oers brllant butter7es 7e +t+er an t+t+er *+eeal o &re.ent.e -ecne as attane Dseases +a been sta-&e out ) sa no e.ence o an6contagous seases urng all -6 sta6 (n ) s+all +a.e to tell 6ou later t+at e.en t+e &rocesses o &utreacton an eca6 +a been &roounl6 aecte b6 t+ese c+anges

'Bocal tru-&+s, too, +a been eecte ) sa -an!n +ouse n s&len s+elters, glorousl6 clot+e,an as 6et ) +a oun t+e- engage n no tol *+ere ere no sgns o struggle, net+er socal norecono-cal struggle *+e s+o&, t+e a.ertse-ent, traKc, all t+at co--erce +c+ consttutes t+e

bo6 o our orl, as gone )t as natural on t+at golen e.enng t+at ) s+oul ju-& at t+e ea o asocal &arase *+e Kcult6 o ncreasng &o&ulaton +a been -et, ) guesse, an &o&ulaton +acease to ncrease

'ut t+ t+s c+ange n conton co-es ne.tabl6 aa&tatons to t+e c+ange I+at, unless bologcalscence s a -ass o errors, s t+e cause o +u-an ntellgence an .gour? 5ars+& an reeo-:contons uner +c+ t+e act.e, strong, an subtle sur..e an t+e ea!er go to t+e all contonst+at &ut a &re-u- u&on t+e lo6al allance o ca&able -en, u&on selrestrant, &atence, an ecson(n t+e nsttuton o t+e a-l6, an t+e e-otons t+at arse t+eren, t+e erce jealous6, t+etenerness or os&rng, &arental sele.oton, all oun t+er justcaton an su&&ort n t+e --nentangers o t+e 6oung Ao, +ere are t+ese --nent angers? *+ere s a sent-ent arsng, an t llgro, aganst connubal jealous6, aganst erce -aternt6, aganst &asson o all sorts unnecessar6t+ngs no, an t+ngs t+at -a!e us unco-ortable, sa.age sur..als, scors n a rene an

&leasant le

[1#]



') t+oug+t o t+e &+6scal slg+tness o t+e &eo&le, t+er lac! o ntellgence, an t+ose bg abunantruns, an t strengt+ene -6 bele n a &erect conHuest o Aature @or ater t+e battle co-es uet5u-ant6 +a been strong, energetc, an ntellgent, an +a use all ts abunant .talt6 to alter t+econtons uner +c+ t l.e (n no ca-e t+e reacton o t+e altere contons

'ner t+e ne contons o &erect co-ort an securt6, t+at restless energ6, t+at t+ us s strengt+,oul beco-e ea!ness E.en n our on t-e certan tenences an esres, once necessar6 tosur..al, are a constant source o alure P+6scal courage an t+e lo.e o battle, or nstance, are nogreat +el&;<-a6 e.en be +nrances;<to a c.l=e -an (n n a state o &+6scal balance an

securt6, &oer, ntellectual as ell as &+6scal, oul be out o &lace @or countless 6ears ) juget+ere +a been no anger o ar or soltar6 .olence, no anger ro- l beasts, no astng sease toreHure strengt+ o consttuton, no nee o tol @or suc+ a le, +at e s+oul call t+e ea! are as elleHu&&e as t+e strong, are nee no longer ea! etter eHu&&e nee t+e6 are, or t+e strongoul be rette b6 an energ6 or +c+ t+ere as no outlet Ao oubt t+e e3Huste beaut6 o t+ebulngs ) sa as t+e outco-e o t+e last surgngs o t+e no &ur&oseless energ6 o -an!n beoret settle on nto &erect +ar-on6 t+ t+e contons uner +c+ t l.e;<t+e 7ours+ o t+attru-&+ +c+ began t+e last great &eace *+s +as e.er been t+e ate o energ6 n securt6 t ta!es toart an to erotcs-, an t+en co-e languor an eca6

'E.en t+s artstc -&etus oul at last e aa6;<+a al-ost e n t+e *-e ) sa *o aornt+e-sel.es t+ 7oers, to ance, to sng n t+e sunlg+t: so -uc+ as let o t+e artstc s&rt, an no-ore E.en t+at oul ae n t+e en nto a contente nact.t6 Ie are !e&t !een on t+e grnstone

o &an an necesst6, an, t see-e to -e, t+at +ere as t+at +ateul grnstone bro!en at lastL

'(s ) stoo t+ere n t+e gat+erng ar! ) t+oug+t t+at n t+s s-&le e3&lanaton ) +a -astere t+e&roble- o t+e orl;<-astere t+e +ole secret o t+ese elcous &eo&le Possbl6 t+e c+ec!s t+e6+a e.se or t+e ncrease o &o&ulaton +a succeee too ell, an t+er nu-bers +a rat+er-ns+e t+an !e&t statonar6 *+at oul account or t+e abanone runs Mer6 s-&le as -6e3&lanaton, an &lausble enoug+;<as -ost rong t+eores areL

M

'(s ) stoo t+ere -usng o.er t+s too &erect tru-&+ o -an, t+e ull -oon, 6ello an gbbous, ca-eu& out o an o.er7o o sl.er lg+t n t+e nort+east *+e brg+t lttle gures cease to -o.e aboutbelo, a noseless ol 7tte b6, an ) s+.ere t+ t+e c+ll o t+e ng+t ) eter-ne to escen ann +ere ) coul slee&

') loo!e or t+e bulng ) !ne *+en -6 e6e tra.elle along to t+e gure o t+e I+te B&+n3 u&on t+e&eestal o bron=e, grong stnct as t+e lg+t o t+e rsng -oon gre brg+ter ) coul see t+e sl.erbrc+ aganst t *+ere as t+e tangle o r+ooenron bus+es, blac! n t+e &ale lg+t, an t+ere ast+e lttle lan ) loo!e at t+e lan agan ( Hueer oubt c+lle -6 co-&lacenc6 SAo,S sa ) stoutl6 to-6sel, St+at as not t+e lanS

'ut t as t+e lan @or t+e +te le&rous ace o t+e s&+n3 as toars t Can 6ou -agne +at )elt as t+s con.cton ca-e +o-e to -e? ut 6ou cannot *+e *-e ac+ne as goneL

'(t once, l!e a las+ across t+e ace, ca-e t+e &ossblt6 o losng -6 on age, o beng let +el&less n

t+s strange ne orl *+e bare t+oug+t o t as an actual &+6scal sensaton ) coul eel t gr& -eat t+e t+roat an sto& -6 breat+ng )n anot+er -o-ent ) as n a &asson o ear an runnng t+great lea&ng stres on t+e slo&e Once ) ell +ealong an cut -6 ace ) lost no t-e n stanc+ngt+e bloo, but ju-&e u& an ran on, t+ a ar- trc!le on -6 c+ee! an c+n (ll t+e t-e ) ran )as sa6ng to -6sel: S*+e6 +a.e -o.e t a lttle, &us+e t uner t+e bus+es out o t+e a6SAe.ert+eless, ) ran t+ all -6 -g+t (ll t+e t-e, t+ t+e certant6 t+at so-et-es co-es t+e3cess.e rea, ) !ne t+at suc+ assurance as oll6, !ne nstnct.el6 t+at t+e -ac+ne asre-o.e out o -6 reac+ 6 breat+ ca-e t+ &an ) su&&ose ) co.ere t+e +ole stance ro- t+e+ll crest to t+e lttle lan, to -les &er+a&s, n ten -nutes (n ) a- not a 6oung -an ) cursealou, as ) ran, at -6 conent oll6 n lea.ng t+e -ac+ne, astng goo breat+ t+ereb6 ) cre alou,an none ansere Aot a creature see-e to be strrng n t+at -oonlt orl

'I+en ) reac+e t+e lan -6 orst ears ere real=e Aot a trace o t+e t+ng as to be seen ) elt

ant an col +en ) ace t+e e-&t6 s&ace a-ong t+e blac! tangle o bus+es ) ran roun t urousl6,as t+e t+ng -g+t be +en n a corner, an t+en sto&&e abru&tl6, t+ -6 +ans clutc+ng -6

[14]



+ar (bo.e -e toere t+e s&+n3, u&on t+e bron=e &eestal, +te, s+nng, le&rous, n t+e lg+t o t+ersng -oon )t see-e to s-le n -oc!er6 o -6 s-a6

') -g+t +a.e console -6sel b6 -agnng t+e lttle &eo&le +a &ut t+e -ec+ans- n so-e s+elter or-e, +a ) not elt assure o t+er &+6scal an ntellectual naeHuac6 *+at s +at s-a6e -e: t+esense o so-e +t+erto unsus&ecte &oer, t+roug+ +ose nter.enton -6 n.enton +a .ans+e >et, or one t+ng ) elt assure: unless so-e ot+er age +a &rouce ts e3act u&lcate, t+e -ac+necoul not +a.e -o.e n t-e *+e attac+-ent o t+e le.ers;<) ll s+o 6ou t+e -et+olater;<&re.ente an6 one ro- ta-&erng t+ t n t+at a6 +en t+e6 ere re-o.e )t +a -o.e,

an as +, onl6 n s&ace ut t+en, +ere coul t be?

') t+n! ) -ust +a.e +a a !n o ren=6 ) re-e-ber runnng .olentl6 n an out a-ong t+e -oonltbus+es all roun t+e s&+n3, an startlng so-e +te an-al t+at, n t+e - lg+t, ) too! or a s-alleer ) re-e-ber, too, late t+at ng+t, beatng t+e bus+es t+ -6 clenc+e st untl -6 !nuc!les eregas+e an bleeng ro- t+e bro!en tgs *+en, sobbng an ra.ng n -6 angus+ o -n, ) enton to t+e great bulng o stone *+e bg +all as ar!, slent, an eserte ) sl&&e on t+e une.en7oor, an ell o.er one o t+e -alac+te tables, al-ost brea!ng -6 s+n ) lt a -atc+ an ent on &astt+e ust6 curtans, o +c+ ) +a.e tol 6ou

'*+ere ) oun a secon great +all co.ere t+ cus+ons, u&on +c+, &er+a&s, a score or so o t+e lttle&eo&le ere slee&ng ) +a.e no oubt t+e6 oun -6 secon a&&earance strange enoug+, co-ngsuenl6 out o t+e Huet ar!ness t+ nartculate noses an t+e s&lutter an 7are o a -atc+ @or

t+e6 +a orgotten about -atc+es SI+ere s -6 *-e ac+ne?S ) began, balng l!e an angr6 c+l,la6ng +ans u&on t+e- an s+a!ng t+e- u& toget+er )t -ust +a.e been .er6 Hueer to t+e- Bo-elaug+e, -ost o t+e- loo!e sorel6 rg+tene I+en ) sa t+e- stanng roun -e, t ca-e nto -6+ea t+at ) as ong as ools+ a t+ng as t as &ossble or -e to o uner t+e crcu-stances, ntr6ng to re..e t+e sensaton o ear @or, reasonng ro- t+er a6lg+t be+a.our, ) t+oug+t t+at ear-ust be orgotten

'(bru&tl6, ) as+e on t+e -atc+, an, !noc!ng one o t+e &eo&le o.er n -6 course, entblunerng across t+e bg nng+all agan, out uner t+e -oonlg+t ) +ear cres o terror an t+erlttle eet runnng an stu-blng t+s a6 an t+at ) o not re-e-ber all ) as t+e -oon cre&t u& t+es!6 ) su&&ose t as t+e une3&ecte nature o -6 loss t+at -aene -e ) elt +o&elessl6 cut o ro--6 on !n;<a strange an-al n an un!non orl ) -ust +a.e ra.e to an ro, screa-ng ancr6ng u&on Go an @ate ) +a.e a -e-or6 o +orrble atgue, as t+e long ng+t o es&ar ore aa6o loo!ng n t+s -&ossble &lace an t+at o gro&ng a-ong -oonlt runs an touc+ng strangecreatures n t+e blac! s+aos at last, o l6ng on t+e groun near t+e s&+n3 an ee&ng t+absolute retc+eness ) +a not+ng let but -ser6 *+en ) sle&t, an +en ) o!e agan t as ulla6, an a cou&le o s&arros ere +o&&ng roun -e on t+e tur t+n reac+ o -6 ar-

') sat u& n t+e res+ness o t+e -ornng, tr6ng to re-e-ber +o ) +a got t+ere, an +6 ) +a suc+ a&rooun sense o eserton an es&ar *+en t+ngs ca-e clear n -6 -n It+ t+e &lan, reasonablea6lg+t, ) coul loo! -6 crcu-stances arl6 n t+e ace ) sa t+e l oll6 o -6 ren=6 o.erng+t,an ) coul reason t+ -6sel SBu&&ose t+e orst?S ) sa SBu&&ose t+e -ac+ne altoget+erlost;<&er+a&s estro6e? )t be+o.es -e to be cal- an &atent, to learn t+e a6 o t+e &eo&le, to geta clear ea o t+e -et+o o -6 loss, an t+e -eans o gettng -aterals an tools so t+at n t+e en,&er+a&s, ) -a6 -a!e anot+erS *+at oul be -6 onl6 +o&e, &er+a&s, but better t+an es&ar (n,

ater all, t as a beautul an curous orl

'ut &robabl6, t+e -ac+ne +a onl6 been ta!en aa6 Btll, ) -ust be cal- an &atent, n ts +ng&lace, an reco.er t b6 orce or cunnng (n t+ t+at ) scra-ble to -6 eet an loo!e about -e,onerng +ere ) coul bat+e ) elt ear6, st, an tra.elsole *+e res+ness o t+e -ornng -ae-e esre an eHual res+ness ) +a e3+auste -6 e-oton )nee, as ) ent about -6 busness, )oun -6sel onerng at -6 ntense e3cte-ent o.erng+t ) -ae a careul e3a-naton o t+egroun about t+e lttle lan ) aste so-e t-e n utle Huestonngs, con.e6e, as ell as ) as able,to suc+ o t+e lttle &eo&le as ca-e b6 *+e6 all ale to unerstan -6 gestures so-e ere s-&l6stol, so-e t+oug+t t as a jest an laug+e at -e ) +a t+e +arest tas! n t+e orl to !ee& -6+ans o t+er &rett6 laug+ng aces )t as a ools+ -&ulse, but t+e e.l begotten o ear an blnanger as ll curbe an stll eager to ta!e a.antage o -6 &er&le3t6 *+e tur ga.e better counsel )oun a groo.e r&&e n t, about -a6 beteen t+e &eestal o t+e s&+n3 an t+e -ar!s o -6 eet

+ere, on arr.al, ) +a struggle t+ t+e o.erturne -ac+ne *+ere ere ot+er sgns o re-o.alabout, t+ Hueer narro oot&rnts l!e t+ose ) coul -agne -ae b6 a slot+ *+s recte -6 closerattenton to t+e &eestal )t as, as ) t+n! ) +a.e sa, o bron=e )t as not a -ere bloc!, but +g+l6

[1$]



ecorate t+ ee& ra-e &anels on et+er se ) ent an ra&&e at t+ese *+e &eestal as+ollo E3a-nng t+e &anels t+ care ) oun t+e- scontnuous t+ t+e ra-es *+ere ere no+anles or !e6+oles, but &ossbl6 t+e &anels, t+e6 ere oors, as ) su&&ose, o&ene ro- t+nOne t+ng as clear enoug+ to -6 -n )t too! no .er6 great -ental eort to ner t+at -6 *-eac+ne as nse t+at &eestal ut +o t got t+ere as a erent &roble-

') sa t+e +eas o to orangecla &eo&le co-ng t+roug+ t+e bus+es an uner so-e blosso-co.ere a&&letrees toars -e ) turne s-lng to t+e- an bec!one t+e- to -e *+e6 ca-e, ant+en, &ontng to t+e bron=e &eestal, ) tre to nt-ate -6 s+ to o&en t ut at -6 rst gesture

toars t+s t+e6 be+a.e .er6 ol6 ) on't !no +o to con.e6 t+er e3&resson to 6ou Bu&&ose 6ouere to use a grossl6 -&ro&er gesture to a elcate-ne o-an;<t s +o s+e oul loo! *+e6ent o as t+e6 +a rece.e t+e last &ossble nsult ) tre a seetloo!ng lttle c+a& n +te ne3t,t+ e3actl6 t+e sa-e result Bo-e+o, +s -anner -ae -e eel as+a-e o -6sel ut, as 6ou!no, ) ante t+e *-e ac+ne, an ) tre +- once -ore (s +e turne o, l!e t+e ot+ers, -6te-&er got t+e better o -e )n t+ree stres ) as ater +-, +a +- b6 t+e loose &art o +s roberoun t+e nec!, an began raggng +- toars t+e s&+n3 *+en ) sa t+e +orror an re&ugnance o +s ace, an all o a suen ) let +- go

'ut ) as not beaten 6et ) bange t+ -6 st at t+e bron=e &anels ) t+oug+t ) +ear so-et+ng strnse;<to be e3&lct, ) t+oug+t ) +ear a soun l!e a c+uc!le;<but ) -ust +a.e been -sta!en *+en) got a bg &ebble ro- t+e r.er, an ca-e an +a--ere tll ) +a 7attene a col n t+e ecoratons,an t+e .ergrs ca-e o n &oer6 7a!es *+e elcate lttle &eo&le -ust +a.e +ear -e +a--erng

n gust6 outbrea!s a -le aa6 on et+er +an, but not+ng ca-e o t ) sa a cro o t+e- u&on t+eslo&es, loo!ng urt.el6 at -e (t last, +ot an tre, ) sat on to atc+ t+e &lace ut ) as toorestless to atc+ long ) a- too Occental or a long .gl ) coul or! at a &roble- or 6ears, but toat nact.e or tent6our +ours;<t+at s anot+er -atter

') got u& ater a t-e, an began al!ng a-lessl6 t+roug+ t+e bus+es toars t+e +ll aganSPatence,S sa ) to -6sel S) 6ou ant 6our -ac+ne agan 6ou -ust lea.e t+at s&+n3 alone ) t+e6-ean to ta!e 6our -ac+ne aa6, t's lttle goo 6our rec!ng t+er bron=e &anels, an t+e6 on't,6ou ll get t bac! as soon as 6ou can as! or t *o st a-ong all t+ose un!non t+ngs beore a &u==lel!e t+at s +o&eless *+at a6 les -ono-ana @ace t+s orl %earn ts a6s, atc+ t, be careul o too +ast6 guesses at ts -eanng )n t+e en 6ou ll n clues to t allS *+en suenl6 t+e +u-our o t+e stuaton ca-e nto -6 -n: t+e t+oug+t o t+e 6ears ) +a s&ent n stu6 an tol to get nto t+euture age, an no -6 &asson o an3et6 to get out o t ) +a -ae -6sel t+e -ost co-&lcate ant+e -ost +o&eless tra& t+at e.er a -an e.se (lt+oug+ t as at -6 on e3&ense, ) coul not +el&-6sel ) laug+e alou

'Gong t+roug+ t+e bg &alace, t see-e to -e t+at t+e lttle &eo&le a.oe -e )t -a6 +a.e been -6anc6, or t -a6 +a.e +a so-et+ng to o t+ -6 +a--erng at t+e gates o bron=e >et ) elttolerabl6 sure o t+e a.oance ) as careul, +oe.er, to s+o no concern an to abstan ro- an6&ursut o t+e-, an n t+e course o a a6 or to t+ngs got bac! to t+e ol ootng ) -ae +at&rogress ) coul n t+e language, an n aton ) &us+e -6 e3&loratons +ere an t+ere Et+er )-sse so-e subtle &ont or t+er language as e3cess.el6 s-≤<al-ost e3clus.el6 co-&ose o concrete substant.es an .erbs *+ere see-e to be e, an6, abstract ter-s, or lttle use o gurat.e language *+er sentences ere usuall6 s-&le an o to ors, an ) ale to con.e6 orunerstan an6 but t+e s-&lest &ro&ostons ) eter-ne to &ut t+e t+oug+t o -6 *-e ac+ne an

t+e -6ster6 o t+e bron=e oors uner t+e s&+n3 as -uc+ as &ossble n a corner o -e-or6, untl -6grong !nolege oul lea -e bac! to t+e- n a natural a6 >et a certan eelng, 6ou -a6unerstan, tet+ere -e n a crcle o a e -les roun t+e &ont o -6 arr.al

'Bo ar as ) coul see, all t+e orl s&la6e t+e sa-e e3uberant rc+ness as t+e *+a-es .alle6 @ro-e.er6 +ll ) cl-be ) sa t+e sa-e abunance o s&len bulngs, enlessl6 .are n -ateral anst6le, t+e sa-e clusterng t+c!ets o e.ergreens, t+e sa-e blosso-laen trees an treeerns 5erean t+ere ater s+one l!e sl.er, an be6on, t+e lan rose nto blue unulatng +lls, an so ae ntot+e serent6 o t+e s!6 ( &ecular eature, +c+ &resentl6 attracte -6 attenton, as t+e &resence o certan crcular ells, se.eral, as t see-e to -e, o a .er6 great e&t+ One la6 b6 t+e &at+ u& t+e+ll, +c+ ) +a olloe urng -6 rst al! %!e t+e ot+ers, t as r--e t+ bron=e, curousl6roug+t, an &rotecte b6 a lttle cu&ola ro- t+e ran Bttng b6 t+e se o t+ese ells, an &eerngon nto t+e s+ate ar!ness, ) coul see no glea- o ater, nor coul ) start an6 re7ecton t+ a

lg+te -atc+ ut n all o t+e- ) +ear a certan soun: a t+u;<t+u;<t+u, l!e t+e beatng o so-e bg engne an ) sco.ere, ro- t+e 7arng o -6 -atc+es, t+at a stea6 current o ar set

[1Q]



on t+e s+ats @urt+er, ) t+re a scra& o &a&er nto t+e t+roat o one, an, nstea o 7utterng slol6on, t as at once suc!e stl6 out o sg+t

'(ter a t-e, too, ) ca-e to connect t+ese ells t+ tall toers stanng +ere an t+ere u&on t+eslo&es or abo.e t+e- t+ere as oten just suc+ a 7c!er n t+e ar as one sees on a +ot a6 abo.e asunscorc+e beac+ Puttng t+ngs toget+er, ) reac+e a strong suggeston o an e3tens.e s6ste- o subterranean .entlaton, +ose true -&ort t as Kcult to -agne ) as at rst nclne toassocate t t+ t+e santar6 a&&aratus o t+ese &eo&le )t as an ob.ous concluson, but t asabsolutel6 rong

'(n +ere ) -ust a-t t+at ) learne .er6 lttle o rans an bells an -oes o con.e6ance, an t+el!e con.enences, urng -6 t-e n t+s real uture )n so-e o t+ese .sons o to&as an co-ngt-es +c+ ) +a.e rea, t+ere s a .ast a-ount o etal about bulng, an socal arrange-ents, anso ort+ ut +le suc+ etals are eas6 enoug+ to obtan +en t+e +ole orl s contane n one's-agnaton, t+e6 are altoget+er naccessble to a real tra.eller a- suc+ realtes as ) oun +ereConce.e t+e tale o %onon +c+ a negro, res+ ro- Central (rca, oul ta!e bac! to +s trbeL I+atoul +e !no o rala6 co-&anes, o socal -o.e-ents, o tele&+one an telegra&+ res, o t+eParcels Del.er6 Co-&an6, an &ostal orers an t+e l!e? >et e, at least, s+oul be llng enoug+ toe3&lan t+ese t+ngs to +-L (n e.en o +at +e !ne, +o -uc+ coul +e -a!e +s untra.elle renet+er a&&re+en or bele.e? *+en, t+n! +o narro t+e ga& beteen a negro an a +te -an o ouron t-es, an +o e t+e nter.al beteen -6sel an t+ese o t+e Golen (geL ) as sensble o -uc+ +c+ as unseen, an +c+ contrbute to -6 co-ort but sa.e or a general -&resson o

auto-atc organ=aton, ) ear ) can con.e6 .er6 lttle o t+e erence to 6our -n

')n t+e -atter o se&ulture, or nstance, ) coul see no sgns o cre-atora nor an6t+ng suggest.e o to-bs ut t occurre to -e t+at, &ossbl6, t+ere -g+t be ce-eteres /or cre-atora so-e+erebe6on t+e range o -6 e3&lorngs *+s, agan, as a Hueston ) elberatel6 &ut to -6sel, an -6curost6 as at rst entrel6 eeate u&on t+e &ont *+e t+ng &u==le -e, an ) as le to -a!e aurt+er re-ar!, +c+ &u==le -e stll -ore: t+at age an nr- a-ong t+s &eo&le t+ere ere none

') -ust coness t+at -6 satsacton t+ -6 rst t+eores o an auto-atc c.l=aton an a ecaent+u-ant6 not long enure >et ) coul t+n! o no ot+er %et -e &ut -6 Kcultes *+e se.eral bg&alaces ) +a e3&lore ere -ere l.ng &laces, great nng+alls an slee&ng a&art-ents ) coul nno -ac+ner6, no a&&lances o an6 !n >et t+ese &eo&le ere clot+e n &leasant abrcs t+at -ust att-es nee reneal, an t+er sanals, t+oug+ unecorate, ere arl6 co-&le3 s&ec-ens o -etalor! Bo-e+o suc+ t+ngs -ust be -ae (n t+e lttle &eo&le s&la6e no .estge o acreat.e tenenc6 *+ere ere no s+o&s, no or!s+o&s, no sgn o -&ortatons a-ong t+e- *+e6s&ent all t+er t-e n &la6ng gentl6, n bat+ng n t+e r.er, n -a!ng lo.e n a +al&la6ul as+on, neatng rut an slee&ng ) coul not see +o t+ngs ere !e&t gong

'*+en, agan, about t+e *-e ac+ne: so-et+ng, ) !ne not +at, +a ta!en t nto t+e +ollo&eestal o t+e I+te B&+n3 I+6? @or t+e le o -e ) coul not -agne *+ose aterless ells, too,t+ose 7c!erng &llars ) elt ) lac!e a clue ) elt;<+o s+all ) &ut t? Bu&&ose 6ou oun an nscr&ton,t+ sentences +ere an t+ere n e3cellent &lan Engls+, an nter&olate t+eret+, ot+ers -ae u& o ors, o letters e.en, absolutel6 un!non to 6ou? Iell, on t+e t+r a6 o -6 .st, t+at as +o t+eorl o Eg+t 5unre an *o *+ousan Be.en 5unre an One &resente tsel to -eL

'*+at a6, too, ) -ae a ren;<o a sort )t +a&&ene t+at, as ) as atc+ng so-e o t+e lttle &eo&lebat+ng n a s+allo, one o t+e- as se=e t+ cra-& an began rtng onstrea- *+e -ancurrent ran rat+er stl6, but not too strongl6 or e.en a -oerate s--er )t ll g.e 6ou an ea,t+ereore, o t+e strange ecenc6 n t+ese creatures, +en ) tell 6ou t+at none -ae t+e slg+testatte-&t to rescue t+e ea!l6 cr6ng lttle t+ng +c+ as ronng beore t+er e6es I+en ) real=et+s, ) +urrel6 sl&&e o -6 clot+es, an, ang n at a &ont loer on, ) caug+t t+e &oor -te anre +er sae to lan ( lttle rubbng o t+e l-bs soon broug+t +er roun, an ) +a t+e satsacton o seeng s+e as all rg+t beore ) let +er ) +a got to suc+ a lo est-ate o +er !n t+at ) note3&ect an6 grattue ro- +er )n t+at, +oe.er, ) as rong

'*+s +a&&ene n t+e -ornng )n t+e aternoon ) -et -6 lttle o-an, as ) bele.e t as, as ) asreturnng toars -6 centre ro- an e3&loraton, an s+e rece.e -e t+ cres o elg+t an&resente -e t+ a bg garlan o 7oers;<e.entl6 -ae or -e an -e alone *+e t+ng too! -6

-agnaton Mer6 &ossbl6 ) +a been eelng esolate (t an6 rate ) -6 best to s&la6 -6a&&recaton o t+e gt Ie ere soon seate toget+er n a lttle stone arbour, engage n con.ersaton,c+e76 o s-les *+e creature's renlness aecte -e e3actl6 as a c+l's -g+t +a.e one Ie

[1]



&asse eac+ ot+er 7oers, an s+e !sse -6 +ans ) t+e sa-e to +ers *+en ) tre tal!, anoun t+at +er na-e as Ieena, +c+, t+oug+ ) on't !no +at t -eant, so-e+o see-ea&&ro&rate enoug+ *+at as t+e begnnng o a Hueer rens+& +c+ laste a ee!, anene;<as ) ll tell 6ouL

'B+e as e3actl6 l!e a c+l B+e ante to be t+ -e ala6s B+e tre to ollo -e e.er6+ere, anon -6 ne3t journe6 out an about t ent to -6 +eart to tre +er on, an lea.e +er at last, e3+austean callng ater -e rat+er &lant.el6 ut t+e &roble-s o t+e orl +a to be -astere ) +a not, )sa to -6sel, co-e nto t+e uture to carr6 on a -nature 7rtaton >et +er stress +en ) let +er

as .er6 great, +er e3&ostulatons at t+e &artng ere so-et-es rantc, an ) t+n!, altoget+er, ) +aas -uc+ trouble as co-ort ro- +er e.oton Ae.ert+eless s+e as, so-e+o, a .er6 great co-ort )t+oug+t t as -ere c+ls+ aecton t+at -ae +er clng to -e ntl t as too late, ) not clearl6!no +at ) +a n7cte u&on +er +en ) let +er Aor untl t as too late ) clearl6 unerstan +ats+e as to -e @or, b6 -erel6 see-ng on o -e, an s+ong n +er ea!, utle a6 t+at s+e careor -e, t+e lttle oll o a creature &resentl6 ga.e -6 return to t+e neg+bour+oo o t+e I+te B&+n3al-ost t+e eelng o co-ng +o-e an ) oul atc+ or +er tn6 gure o +te an gol so soon as )ca-e o.er t+e +ll

')t as ro- +er, too, t+at ) learne t+at ear +a not 6et let t+e orl B+e as earless enoug+ n t+ea6lg+t, an s+e +a t+e oest conence n -e or once, n a ools+ -o-ent, ) -ae t+reatennggr-aces at +er, an s+e s-&l6 laug+e at t+e- ut s+e reae t+e ar!, reae s+aos, reaeblac! t+ngs Dar!ness to +er as t+e one t+ng reaul )t as a sngularl6 &assonate e-oton, an t

set -e t+n!ng an obser.ng ) sco.ere t+en, a-ong ot+er t+ngs, t+at t+ese lttle &eo&le gat+erento t+e great +ouses ater ar!, an sle&t n ro.es *o enter u&on t+e- t+out a lg+t as to &utt+e- nto a tu-ult o a&&re+enson ) ne.er oun one out o oors, or one slee&ng alone t+n oors,ater ar! >et ) as stll suc+ a bloc!+ea t+at ) -sse t+e lesson o t+at ear, an n s&te o Ieena'sstress ) nsste u&on slee&ng aa6 ro- t+ese slu-berng -ulttues

')t trouble +er greatl6, but n t+e en +er o aecton or -e tru-&+e, an or .e o t+e ng+ts o our acHuantance, nclung t+e last ng+t o all, s+e sle&t t+ +er +ea &lloe on -6 ar- ut -6stor6 sl&s aa6 ro- -e as ) s&ea! o +er )t -ust +a.e been t+e ng+t beore +er rescue t+at ) asaa!ene about an ) +a been restless, rea-ng -ost sagreeabl6 t+at ) as rone, an t+atsea ane-ones ere eelng o.er -6 ace t+ t+er sot &al&s ) o!e t+ a start, an t+ an oanc6 t+at so-e gre6s+ an-al +a just rus+e out o t+e c+a-ber ) tre to get to slee& agan, but )elt restless an unco-ortable )t as t+at - gre6 +our +en t+ngs are just cree&ng out o ar!ness, +en e.er6t+ng s colourless an clear cut, an 6et unreal ) got u&, an ent on nto t+egreat +all, an so out u&on t+e 7agstones n ront o t+e &alace ) t+oug+t ) oul -a!e a .rtue o necesst6, an see t+e sunrse

'*+e -oon as settng, an t+e 6ng -oonlg+t an t+e rst &allor o an ere -ngle n a g+astl6+allg+t *+e bus+es ere n!6 blac!, t+e groun a so-bre gre6, t+e s!6 colourless an c+eerless (nu& t+e +ll ) t+oug+t ) coul see g+osts *+ere se.eral t-es, as ) scanne t+e slo&e, ) sa +te gures *ce ) ance ) sa a soltar6 +te, a&el!e creature runnng rat+er Huc!l6 u& t+e +ll, an once neart+e runs ) sa a leas+ o t+e- carr6ng so-e ar! bo6 *+e6 -o.e +astl6 ) not see +at beca-eo t+e- )t see-e t+at t+e6 .ans+e a-ong t+e bus+es *+e an as stll nstnct, 6ou -ustunerstan ) as eelng t+at c+ll, uncertan, earl6-ornng eelng 6ou -a6 +a.e !non ) oubte-6 e6es

'(s t+e eastern s!6 gre brg+ter, an t+e lg+t o t+e a6 ca-e on an ts .. colourng returneu&on t+e orl once -ore, ) scanne t+e .e !eenl6 ut ) sa no .estge o -6 +te gures *+e6ere -ere creatures o t+e +al lg+t S*+e6 -ust +a.e been g+osts,S ) sa S) oner +ence t+e6ateS @or a Hueer noton o Grant (llen's ca-e nto -6 +ea, an a-use -e ) eac+ generaton ean lea.e g+osts, +e argue, t+e orl at last ll get o.ercroe t+ t+e- On t+at t+eor6 t+e6oul +a.e gron nnu-erable so-e Eg+t 5unre *+ousan >ears +ence, an t as no great onerto see our at once ut t+e jest as unsats6ng, an ) as t+n!ng o t+ese gures all t+e -ornng,untl Ieena's rescue ro.e t+e- out o -6 +ea ) assocate t+e- n so-e nente a6 t+ t+e+te an-al ) +a startle n -6 rst &assonate searc+ or t+e *-e ac+ne ut Ieena as a&leasant substtute >et all t+e sa-e, t+e6 ere soon estne to ta!e ar ealer &ossesson o -6-n

') t+n! ) +a.e sa +o -uc+ +otter t+an our on as t+e eat+er o t+s Golen (ge ) cannot accountor t )t -a6 be t+at t+e sun as +otter, or t+e eart+ nearer t+e sun )t s usual to assu-e t+at t+e sunll go on coolng steal6 n t+e uture ut &eo&le, una-lar t+ suc+ s&eculatons as t+ose o t+e

[18]



6ounger Darn, orget t+at t+e &lanets -ust ult-atel6 all bac! one b6 one nto t+e &arent bo6 (st+ese catastro&+es occur, t+e sun ll bla=e t+ renee energ6 an t -a6 be t+at so-e nner &lanet+a suere t+s ate I+ate.er t+e reason, t+e act re-ans t+at t+e sun as .er6 -uc+ +otter t+ane !no t

'Iell, one .er6 +ot -ornng;<-6 ourt+, ) t+n!;<as ) as see!ng s+elter ro- t+e +eat an glare na colossal run near t+e great +ouse +ere ) sle&t an e, t+ere +a&&ene t+s strange t+ng:Cla-berng a-ong t+ese +ea&s o -asonr6, ) oun a narro galler6, +ose en an se nosere bloc!e b6 allen -asses o stone 6 contrast t+ t+e brllanc6 outse, t see-e at rst

-&enetrabl6 ar! to -e ) entere t gro&ng, or t+e c+ange ro- lg+t to blac!ness -ae s&ots o colour s- beore -e Buenl6 ) +alte s&ellboun ( &ar o e6es, lu-nous b6 re7ecton aganst t+ea6lg+t t+out, as atc+ng -e out o t+e ar!ness

'*+e ol nstnct.e rea o l beasts ca-e u&on -e ) clenc+e -6 +ans an steaastl6 loo!ento t+e glarng e6eballs ) as ara to turn *+en t+e t+oug+t o t+e absolute securt6 n +c++u-ant6 a&&eare to be l.ng ca-e to -6 -n (n t+en ) re-e-bere t+at strange terror o t+ear! O.erco-ng -6 ear to so-e e3tent, ) a.ance a ste& an s&o!e ) ll a-t t+at -6 .oce as+ars+ an llcontrolle ) &ut out -6 +an an touc+e so-et+ng sot (t once t+e e6es artesea6s, an so-et+ng +te ran &ast -e ) turne t+ -6 +eart n -6 -out+, an sa a Hueer lttlea&el!e gure, ts +ea +el on n a &ecular -anner, runnng across t+e sunlt s&ace be+n -e )tblunere aganst a bloc! o grante, staggere ase, an n a -o-ent as +en n a blac! s+aobeneat+ anot+er &le o rune -asonr6

'6 -&resson o t s, o course, -&erect but ) !no t as a ull +te, an +a strange largegre6s+re e6es also t+at t+ere as 7a3en +ar on ts +ea an on ts bac! ut, as ) sa6, t ent tooast or -e to see stnctl6 ) cannot e.en sa6 +et+er t ran on allours, or onl6 t+ ts orear-s +el.er6 lo (ter an nstant's &ause ) olloe t nto t+e secon +ea& o runs ) coul not n t at rstbut, ater a t-e n t+e &rooun obscurt6, ) ca-e u&on one o t+ose roun elll!e o&enngs o +c+ )+a.e tol 6ou, +al close b6 a allen &llar ( suen t+oug+t ca-e to -e Coul t+s *+ng +a.e.ans+e on t+e s+at? ) lt a -atc+, an, loo!ng on, ) sa a s-all, +te, -o.ng creature, t+large brg+t e6es +c+ regare -e steaastl6 as t retreate )t -ae -e s+uer )t as so l!e a+u-an s&erL )t as cla-berng on t+e all, an no ) sa or t+e rst t-e a nu-ber o -etal ootan +an rests or-ng a !n o laer on t+e s+at *+en t+e lg+t burne -6 ngers an ell out o -6 +an, gong out as t ro&&e, an +en ) +a lt anot+er t+e lttle -onster +a sa&&eare

') o not !no +o long ) sat &eerng on t+at ell )t as not or so-e t-e t+at ) coul succee n&ersuang -6sel t+at t+e t+ng ) +a seen as +u-an ut, grauall6, t+e trut+ ane on -e: t+atan +a not re-ane one s&eces, but +a erentate nto to stnct an-als: t+at -6 graceulc+lren o t+e &&erorl ere not t+e sole escenants o our generaton, but t+at t+s bleac+e,obscene, nocturnal *+ng, +c+ +a 7as+e beore -e, as also +er to all t+e ages

') t+oug+t o t+e 7c!erng &llars an o -6 t+eor6 o an unergroun .entlaton ) began to sus&ectt+er true -&ort (n +at, ) onere, as t+s %e-ur ong n -6 sc+e-e o a &erectl6 balanceorgan=aton? 5o as t relate to t+e nolent serent6 o t+e beautul &&erorlers? (n +at as+en on t+ere, at t+e oot o t+at s+at? ) sat u&on t+e ege o t+e ell tellng -6sel t+at, at an6rate, t+ere as not+ng to ear, an t+at t+ere ) -ust escen or t+e soluton o -6 Kcultes (nt+al ) as absolutel6 ara to goL (s ) +estate, to o t+e beautul &&erorl &eo&le ca-e

runnng n t+er a-orous s&ort across t+e a6lg+t n t+e s+ao *+e -ale &ursue t+e e-ale, 7ngng7oers at +er as +e ran

'*+e6 see-e stresse to n -e, -6 ar- aganst t+e o.erturne &llar, &eerng on t+e ell(&&arentl6 t as consere ba or- to re-ar! t+ese a&ertures or +en ) &onte to t+s one, antre to ra-e a Hueston about t n t+er tongue, t+e6 ere stll -ore .sbl6 stresse an turneaa6 ut t+e6 ere ntereste b6 -6 -atc+es, an ) struc! so-e to a-use t+e- ) tre t+e- aganabout t+e ell, an agan ) ale Bo &resentl6 ) let t+e-, -eanng to go bac! to Ieena, an see +at) coul get ro- +er ut -6 -n as alrea6 n re.oluton -6 guesses an -&ressons ere sl&&ngan slng to a ne ajust-ent ) +a no a clue to t+e -&ort o t+ese ells, to t+e .entlatng toers,to t+e -6ster6 o t+e g+osts to sa6 not+ng o a +nt at t+e -eanng o t+e bron=e gates an t+e ate o t+e *-e ac+neL (n .er6 .aguel6 t+ere ca-e a suggeston toars t+e soluton o t+e econo-c&roble- t+at +a &u==le -e

'5ere as t+e ne .e Planl6, t+s secon s&eces o an as subterranean *+ere ere t+reecrcu-stances n &artcular +c+ -ae -e t+n! t+at ts rare e-ergence abo.e groun as t+e

[19]



outco-e o a longcontnue unergroun +abt )n t+e rst &lace, t+ere as t+e bleac+e loo! co--onn -ost an-als t+at l.e largel6 n t+e ar!;<t+e +te s+ o t+e Tentuc!6 ca.es, or nstance *+en,t+ose large e6es, t+ t+at ca&act6 or re7ectng lg+t, are co--on eatures o nocturnalt+ngs;<tness t+e ol an t+e cat (n last o all, t+at e.ent conuson n t+e suns+ne, t+at +ast66et u-blng a!ar 7g+t toars ar! s+ao, an t+at &ecular carrage o t+e +ea +le n t+elg+t;<all renorce t+e t+eor6 o an e3tre-e senst.eness o t+e retna

'eneat+ -6 eet, t+en, t+e eart+ -ust be tunnelle enor-ousl6, an t+ese tunnellngs ere t+e+abtat o t+e ne race *+e &resence o .entlatng s+ats an ells along t+e +ll

slo&es;<e.er6+ere, n act, e3ce&t along t+e r.er .alle6;<s+oe +o un.ersal ere tsra-catons I+at so natural, t+en, as to assu-e t+at t as n t+s artcal nerorl t+at suc+or! as as necessar6 to t+e co-ort o t+e a6lg+t race as one? *+e noton as so &lausble t+at )at once acce&te t, an ent on to assu-e t+e +o o t+s s&lttng o t+e +u-an s&eces ) are sa66ou ll antc&ate t+e s+a&e o -6 t+eor6 t+oug+, or -6sel, ) .er6 soon elt t+at t ell ar s+ort o t+etrut+

'(t rst, &roceeng ro- t+e &roble-s o our on age, t see-e clear as a6lg+t to -e t+at t+egraual enng o t+e &resent -erel6 te-&orar6 an socal erence beteen t+e Ca&talst an t+e%abourer, as t+e !e6 to t+e +ole &oston Ao oubt t ll see- grotesHue enoug+ to 6ou;<anll6 ncrebleL;<an 6et e.en no t+ere are e3stng crcu-stances to &ont t+at a6 *+ere s atenenc6 to utl=e unergroun s&ace or t+e less orna-ental &ur&oses o c.l=aton t+ere s t+eetro&oltan Rala6 n %onon, or nstance, t+ere are ne electrc rala6s, t+ere are suba6s, t+ere

are unergroun or!roo-s an restaurants, an t+e6 ncrease an -ult&l6 E.entl6, ) t+oug+t, t+stenenc6 +a ncrease tll )nustr6 +a grauall6 lost ts brt+rg+t n t+e s!6 ) -ean t+at t +a goneee&er an ee&er nto larger an e.er larger unergroun actores, s&enng a stllncreasnga-ount o ts t-e t+eren, tll, n t+e en;<L E.en no, oes not an Easten or!er l.e n suc+artcal contons as &ractcall6 to be cut o ro- t+e natural surace o t+e eart+?

'(gan, t+e e3clus.e tenenc6 o rc+er &eo≤<ue, no oubt, to t+e ncreasng rene-ent o t+ereucaton, an t+e enng gul beteen t+e- an t+e rue .olence o t+e &oor;<s alrea6 leangto t+e closng, n t+er nterest, o conserable &ortons o t+e surace o t+e lan (bout %onon, ornstance, &er+a&s +al t+e &retter countr6 s s+ut n aganst ntruson (n t+s sa-e ennggul;<+c+ s ue to t+e lengt+ an e3&ense o t+e +g+er eucatonal &rocess an t+e ncreaseacltes or an te-&tatons toars rene +abts on t+e &art o t+e rc+;<ll -a!e t+at e3c+angebeteen class an class, t+at &ro-oton b6 nter-arrage +c+ at &resent retars t+e s&lttng o ours&eces along lnes o socal stratcaton, less an less reHuent Bo, n t+e en, abo.e groun 6ou -ust+a.e t+e 5a.es, &ursung &leasure an co-ort an beaut6, an belo groun t+e 5a.enots, t+eIor!ers gettng contnuall6 aa&te to t+e contons o t+er labour Once t+e6 ere t+ere, t+e6 oulno oubt +a.e to &a6 rent, an not a lttle o t, or t+e .entlaton o t+er ca.erns an t+e6 reuse,t+e6 oul star.e or be suocate or arrears Buc+ o t+e- as ere so consttute as to be -serablean rebellous oul e an, n t+e en, t+e balance beng &er-anent, t+e sur..ors oul beco-e asell aa&te to t+e contons o unergroun le, an as +a&&6 n t+er a6, as t+e &&erorl&eo&le ere to t+ers (s t see-e to -e, t+e rene beaut6 an t+e etolate &allor olloe naturall6enoug+

'*+e great tru-&+ o 5u-ant6 ) +a rea-e o too! a erent s+a&e n -6 -n )t +a been nosuc+ tru-&+ o -oral eucaton an general coo&eraton as ) +a -agne )nstea, ) sa a real

arstocrac6, ar-e t+ a &erecte scence an or!ng to a logcal concluson t+e nustral s6ste- o toa6 )ts tru-&+ +a not been s-&l6 a tru-&+ o.er Aature, but a tru-&+ o.er Aature an t+eello-an *+s, ) -ust arn 6ou, as -6 t+eor6 at t+e t-e ) +a no con.enent ccerone n t+e&attern o t+e to&an boo!s 6 e3&lanaton -a6 be absolutel6 rong ) stll t+n! t s t+e -ost&lausble one ut e.en on t+s su&&oston t+e balance c.l=aton t+at as at last attane -ust +a.elong snce &asse ts =ent+, an as no ar allen nto eca6 *+e too&erect securt6 o t+e &&erorlers +a le t+e- to a slo -o.e-ent o egeneraton, to a general nlng n s=e, strengt+,an ntellgence *+at ) coul see clearl6 enoug+ alrea6 I+at +a +a&&ene to t+e nergrouners ) not 6et sus&ect but ro- +at ) +a seen o t+e orloc!s;<t+at, b6 t+e b6, as t+e na-e b6+c+ t+ese creatures ere calle;<) coul -agne t+at t+e -ocaton o t+e +u-an t6&e as e.enar -ore &rooun t+an a-ong t+e SElo,S t+e beautul race t+at ) alrea6 !ne

'*+en ca-e troubleso-e oubts I+6 +a t+e orloc!s ta!en -6 *-e ac+ne? @or ) elt sure t as

t+e6 +o +a ta!en t I+6, too, t+e Elo ere -asters, coul t+e6 not restore t+e -ac+ne to -e?(n +6 ere t+e6 so terrbl6 ara o t+e ar!? ) &roceee, as ) +a.e sa, to Hueston Ieena aboutt+s nerorl, but +ere agan ) as sa&&onte (t rst s+e oul not unerstan -6 Huestons,

[20]



an &resentl6 s+e reuse to anser t+e- B+e s+.ere as t+oug+ t+e to&c as unenurable (n+en ) &resse +er, &er+a&s a lttle +ars+l6, s+e burst nto tears *+e6 ere t+e onl6 tears, e3ce&t -6on, ) e.er sa n t+at Golen (ge I+en ) sa t+e- ) cease abru&tl6 to trouble about t+e orloc!s,an as onl6 concerne n bans+ng t+ese sgns o t+e +u-an n+ertance ro- Ieena's e6es (n.er6 soon s+e as s-lng an cla&&ng +er +ans, +le ) sole-nl6 burne a -atc+

M)

')t -a6 see- o to 6ou, but t as to a6s beore ) coul ollo u& t+e neoun clue n +at as

-anestl6 t+e &ro&er a6 ) elt a &ecular s+rn!ng ro- t+ose &all boes *+e6 ere just t+e +albleac+e colour o t+e or-s an t+ngs one sees &reser.e n s&rt n a =oologcal -useu- (n t+e6ere lt+l6 col to t+e touc+ Probabl6 -6 s+rn!ng as largel6 ue to t+e s6-&at+etc n7uence o t+e Elo, +ose sgust o t+e orloc!s ) no began to a&&recate

'*+e ne3t ng+t ) not slee& ell Probabl6 -6 +ealt+ as a lttle sorere ) as o&&resse t+&er&le3t6 an oubt Once or tce ) +a a eelng o ntense ear or +c+ ) coul &erce.e no entereason ) re-e-ber cree&ng noselessl6 nto t+e great +all +ere t+e lttle &eo&le ere slee&ng n t+e-oonlg+t;<t+at ng+t Ieena as a-ong t+e-;<an eelng reassure b6 t+er &resence )t occurreto -e e.en t+en, t+at n t+e course o a e a6s t+e -oon -ust &ass t+roug+ ts last Huarter, an t+eng+ts gro ar!, +en t+e a&&earances o t+ese un&leasant creatures ro- belo, t+ese +tene%e-urs, t+s ne .er-n t+at +a re&lace t+e ol, -g+t be -ore abunant (n on bot+ t+ese a6s )+a t+e restless eelng o one +o s+r!s an ne.table ut6 ) elt assure t+at t+e *-e ac+ne as

onl6 to be reco.ere b6 boll6 &enetratng t+ese unergroun -6steres >et ) coul not ace t+e-6ster6 ) onl6 ) +a +a a co-&anon t oul +a.e been erent ut ) as so +orrbl6 alone, ane.en to cla-ber on nto t+e ar!ness o t+e ell a&&alle -e ) on't !no 6ou ll unerstan -6eelng, but ) ne.er elt Hute sae at -6 bac!

')t as t+s restlessness, t+s nsecurt6, &er+a&s, t+at ro.e -e urt+er an urt+er ael n -6e3&lorng e3&etons Gong to t+e sout+estar toars t+e rsng countr6 t+at s no calleCo-be Ioo, ) obser.e ar o, n t+e recton o nneteent+centur6 anstea, a .ast greenstructure, erent n c+aracter ro- an6 ) +a +t+erto seen )t as larger t+an t+e largest o t+e&alaces or runs ) !ne, an t+e acae +a an Orental loo!: t+e ace o t +a.ng t+e lustre, as ell ast+e &alegreen tnt, a !n o blus+green, o a certan t6&e o C+nese &orcelan *+s erence nas&ect suggeste a erence n use, an ) as -ne to &us+ on an e3&lore ut t+e a6 asgrong late, an ) +a co-e u&on t+e sg+t o t+e &lace ater a long an trng crcut so ) resol.e to+ol o.er t+e a.enture or t+e ollong a6, an ) returne to t+e elco-e an t+e caresses o lttleIeena ut ne3t -ornng ) &erce.e clearl6 enoug+ t+at -6 curost6 regarng t+e Palace o GreenPorcelan as a &ece o selece&ton, to enable -e to s+r!, b6 anot+er a6, an e3&erence ) reae) resol.e ) oul -a!e t+e escent t+out urt+er aste o t-e, an starte out n t+e earl6 -ornngtoars a ell near t+e runs o grante an alu-nu-

'%ttle Ieena ran t+ -e B+e ance bese -e to t+e ell, but +en s+e sa -e lean o.er t+e-out+ an loo! onar, s+e see-e strangel6 sconcerte SGoob6e, lttle Ieena,S ) sa, !ssng+er an t+en &uttng +er on, ) began to eel o.er t+e &ara&et or t+e cl-bng +oo!s Rat+er +astl6,) -a6 as ell coness, or ) eare -6 courage -g+t lea! aa6L (t rst s+e atc+e -e n a-a=e-ent *+en s+e ga.e a -ost &teous cr6, an runnng to -e, s+e began to &ull at -e t+ +er lttle +ans )t+n! +er o&&oston ner.e -e rat+er to &rocee ) s+oo! +er o, &er+a&s a lttle roug+l6, an n

anot+er -o-ent ) as n t+e t+roat o t+e ell ) sa +er agon=e ace o.er t+e &ara&et, an s-le toreassure +er *+en ) +a to loo! on at t+e unstable +oo!s to +c+ ) clung

') +a to cla-ber on a s+at o &er+a&s to +unre 6ars *+e escent as eecte b6 -eans o -etallc bars &rojectng ro- t+e ses o t+e ell, an t+ese beng aa&te to t+e nees o a creature-uc+ s-aller an lg+ter t+an -6sel, ) as s&eel6 cra-&e an atgue b6 t+e escent (n nots-&l6 atgueL One o t+e bars bent suenl6 uner -6 eg+t, an al-ost sung -e o nto t+eblac!ness beneat+ @or a -o-ent ) +ung b6 one +an, an ater t+at e3&erence ) not are to restagan *+oug+ -6 ar-s an bac! ere &resentl6 acutel6 &anul, ) ent on cla-berng on t+e s+eerescent t+ as Huc! a -oton as &ossble Glancng u&ar, ) sa t+e a&erture, a s-all blue s!, n+c+ a star as .sble, +le lttle Ieena's +ea s+oe as a roun blac! &rojecton *+e t+ungsoun o a -ac+ne belo gre louer an -ore o&&ress.e E.er6t+ng sa.e t+at lttle s! abo.e as&roounl6 ar!, an +en ) loo!e u& agan Ieena +a sa&&eare

') as n an agon6 o sco-ort ) +a so-e t+oug+t o tr6ng to go u& t+e s+at agan, an lea.e t+enerorl alone ut e.en +le ) turne t+s o.er n -6 -n ) contnue to escen (t last, t+

[21]



ntense rele, ) sa -l6 co-ng u&, a oot to t+e rg+t o -e, a slener loo&+ole n t+e all Bngng-6sel n, ) oun t as t+e a&erture o a narro +or=ontal tunnel n +c+ ) coul le on an rest )tas not too soon 6 ar-s ac+e, -6 bac! as cra-&e, an ) as tre-blng t+ t+e &rolonge terroro a all eses t+s, t+e unbro!en ar!ness +a +a a stressng eect u&on -6 e6es *+e ar asull o t+e t+rob an +u- o -ac+ner6 &u-&ng ar on t+e s+at

') o not !no +o long ) la6 ) as rouse b6 a sot +an touc+ng -6 ace Btartng u& n t+e ar!ness) snatc+e at -6 -atc+es an, +astl6 str!ng one, ) sa t+ree stoo&ng +te creatures s-lar to t+eone ) +a seen abo.e groun n t+e run, +astl6 retreatng beore t+e lg+t %.ng, as t+e6 , n +at

a&&eare to -e -&enetrable ar!ness, t+er e6es ere abnor-all6 large an senst.e, just as are t+e&u&ls o t+e ab6s-al s+es, an t+e6 re7ecte t+e lg+t n t+e sa-e a6 ) +a.e no oubt t+e6 coulsee -e n t+at ra6less obscurt6, an t+e6 not see- to +a.e an6 ear o -e a&art ro- t+e lg+tut, so soon as ) struc! a -atc+ n orer to see t+e-, t+e6 7e ncontnentl6, .ans+ng nto ar!gutters an tunnels, ro- +c+ t+er e6es glare at -e n t+e strangest as+on

') tre to call to t+e-, but t+e language t+e6 +a as a&&arentl6 erent ro- t+at o t+e O.erorl&eo&le so t+at ) as nees let to -6 on unae eorts, an t+e t+oug+t o 7g+t beore e3&loratonas e.en t+en n -6 -n ut ) sa to -6sel, S>ou are n or t no,S an, eelng -6 a6 along t+etunnel, ) oun t+e nose o -ac+ner6 gro louer Presentl6 t+e alls ell aa6 ro- -e, an ) ca-e toa large o&en s&ace, an str!ng anot+er -atc+, sa t+at ) +a entere a .ast arc+e ca.ern, +c+stretc+e nto utter ar!ness be6on t+e range o -6 lg+t *+e .e ) +a o t as as -uc+ as onecoul see n t+e burnng o a -atc+

'Aecessarl6 -6 -e-or6 s .ague Great s+a&es l!e bg -ac+nes rose out o t+e -ness, an castgrotesHue blac! s+aos, n +c+ - s&ectral orloc!s s+eltere ro- t+e glare *+e &lace, b6 t+eb6, as .er6 stu6 an o&&ress.e, an t+e ant +altus o res+l6 s+e bloo as n t+e ar Bo-e a6on t+e central .sta as a lttle table o +te -etal, la t+ +at see-e a -eal *+e orloc!s atan6 rate ere carn.orousL E.en at t+e t-e, ) re-e-ber onerng +at large an-al coul +a.esur..e to urns+ t+e re jont ) sa )t as all .er6 nstnct: t+e +ea.6 s-ell, t+e bg un-eanngs+a&es, t+e obscene gures lur!ng n t+e s+aos, an onl6 atng or t+e ar!ness to co-e at -eaganL *+en t+e -atc+ burne on, an stung -6 ngers, an ell, a rgglng re s&ot n t+eblac!ness

') +a.e t+oug+t snce +o &artcularl6 lleHu&&e ) as or suc+ an e3&erence I+en ) +a startet+ t+e *-e ac+ne, ) +a starte t+ t+e absur assu-&ton t+at t+e -en o t+e @uture oulcertanl6 be nntel6 a+ea o oursel.es n all t+er a&&lances ) +a co-e t+out ar-s, t+out-ecne, t+out an6t+ng to s-o!e;<at t-es ) -sse tobacco rg+tull6;<e.en t+out enoug+-atc+es ) onl6 ) +a t+oug+t o a Toa!L ) coul +a.e 7as+e t+at gl-&se o t+e nerorl n asecon, an e3a-ne t at lesure ut, as t as, ) stoo t+ere t+ onl6 t+e ea&ons an t+e &oerst+at Aature +a enoe -e t+;<+ans, eet, an teet+ t+ese, an our saet6-atc+es t+at stllre-ane to -e

') as ara to &us+ -6 a6 n a-ong all t+s -ac+ner6 n t+e ar!, an t as onl6 t+ -6 lastgl-&se o lg+t ) sco.ere t+at -6 store o -atc+es +a run lo )t +a ne.er occurre to -e untlt+at -o-ent t+at t+ere as an6 nee to econo-=e t+e-, an ) +a aste al-ost +al t+e bo3 nastons+ng t+e &&erorlers, to +o- re as a no.elt6 Ao, as ) sa6, ) +a our let, an +le )stoo n t+e ar!, a +an touc+e -ne, lan! ngers ca-e eelng o.er -6 ace, an ) as sensble o a

&ecular un&leasant oour ) ance ) +ear t+e breat+ng o a cro o t+ose reaul lttle bengsabout -e ) elt t+e bo3 o -atc+es n -6 +an beng gentl6 sengage, an ot+er +ans be+n -e&luc!ng at -6 clot+ng *+e sense o t+ese unseen creatures e3a-nng -e as nescrbabl6un&leasant *+e suen real=aton o -6 gnorance o t+er a6s o t+n!ng an ong ca-e +o-e to-e .er6 ..l6 n t+e ar!ness ) s+oute at t+e- as loul6 as ) coul *+e6 starte aa6, an t+en )coul eel t+e- a&&roac+ng -e agan *+e6 clutc+e at -e -ore boll6, +s&erng o souns toeac+ ot+er ) s+.ere .olentl6, an s+oute agan;<rat+er scorantl6 *+s t-e t+e6 ere not soserousl6 alar-e, an t+e6 -ae a Hueer laug+ng nose as t+e6 ca-e bac! at -e ) ll coness ) as+orrbl6 rg+tene ) eter-ne to str!e anot+er -atc+ an esca&e uner t+e &rotecton o ts glare ) so, an e!ng out t+e 7c!er t+ a scra& o &a&er ro- -6 &oc!et, ) -ae goo -6 retreat to t+enarro tunnel ut ) +a scarce entere t+s +en -6 lg+t as blon out an n t+e blac!ness ) coul+ear t+e orloc!s rustlng l!e n a-ong lea.es, an &atterng l!e t+e ran, as t+e6 +urre ater -e

')n a -o-ent ) as clutc+e b6 se.eral +ans, an t+ere as no -sta!ng t+at t+e6 ere tr6ng to +aul-e bac! ) struc! anot+er lg+t, an a.e t n t+er a==le aces >ou can scarce -agne +onauseatngl6 n+u-an t+e6 loo!e;<t+ose &ale, c+nless aces an great, lless, &n!s+gre6 e6esL

[22]



;<as t+e6 stare n t+er blnness an beler-ent ut ) not sta6 to loo!, ) &ro-se 6ou: )retreate agan, an +en -6 secon -atc+ +a ene, ) struc! -6 t+r )t +a al-ost burnet+roug+ +en ) reac+e t+e o&enng nto t+e s+at ) la6 on on t+e ege, or t+e t+rob o t+e great&u-& belo -ae -e g6 *+en ) elt sea6s or t+e &rojectng +oo!s, an, as ) so, -6 eetere gras&e ro- be+n, an ) as .olentl6 tugge bac!ar ) lt -6 last -atc+ ;F an tncontnentl6 ent out ut ) +a -6 +an on t+e cl-bng bars no, an, !c!ng .olentl6, )sengage -6sel ro- t+e clutc+es o t+e orloc!s an as s&eel6 cla-berng u& t+e s+at, +let+e6 sta6e &eerng an bln!ng u& at -e: all but one lttle retc+ +o olloe -e or so-e a6, anellng+ secure -6 boot as a tro&+6

'*+at cl-b see-e nter-nable to -e It+ t+e last tent6 or t+rt6 eet o t a eal6 nausea ca-eu&on -e ) +a t+e greatest Kcult6 n !ee&ng -6 +ol *+e last e 6ars as a rg+tul struggleaganst t+s antness Be.eral t-es -6 +ea sa-, an ) elt all t+e sensatons o allng (t last,+oe.er, ) got o.er t+e ell-out+ so-e+o, an staggere out o t+e run nto t+e blnng sunlg+t )ell u&on -6 ace E.en t+e sol s-elt seet an clean *+en ) re-e-ber Ieena !ssng -6 +ans anears, an t+e .oces o ot+ers a-ong t+e Elo *+en, or a t-e, ) as nsensble

M))

'Ao, nee, ) see-e n a orse case t+an beore 5t+erto, e3ce&t urng -6 ng+t's angus+ at t+eloss o t+e *-e ac+ne, ) +a elt a sustanng +o&e o ult-ate esca&e, but t+at +o&e as staggereb6 t+ese ne sco.eres 5t+erto ) +a -erel6 t+oug+t -6sel -&ee b6 t+e c+ls+ s-&lct6 o

t+e lttle &eo&le, an b6 so-e un!non orces +c+ ) +a onl6 to unerstan to o.erco-e but t+ereas an altoget+er ne ele-ent n t+e sc!enng Hualt6 o t+e orloc!s;<a so-et+ng n+u-an an-algn )nstnct.el6 ) loat+e t+e- eore, ) +a elt as a -an -g+t eel +o +a allen nto a &t: -6concern as t+ t+e &t an +o to get out o t Ao ) elt l!e a beast n a tra&, +ose ene-6 oulco-e u&on +- soon

'*+e ene-6 ) reae -a6 sur&rse 6ou )t as t+e ar!ness o t+e ne -oon Ieena +a &ut t+s nto-6 +ea b6 so-e at rst nco-&re+ensble re-ar!s about t+e Dar! Ag+ts )t as not no suc+ a .er6Kcult &roble- to guess +at t+e co-ng Dar! Ag+ts -g+t -ean *+e -oon as on t+e ane: eac+ng+t t+ere as a longer nter.al o ar!ness (n ) no unerstoo to so-e slg+t egree at least t+ereason o t+e ear o t+e lttle &&erorl &eo&le or t+e ar! ) onere .aguel6 +at oul .llan6 t-g+t be t+at t+e orloc!s uner t+e ne -oon ) elt &rett6 sure no t+at -6 secon +6&ot+essas all rong *+e &&erorl &eo&le -g+t once +a.e been t+e a.oure arstocrac6, an t+eorloc!s t+er -ec+ancal ser.ants: but t+at +a long snce &asse aa6 *+e to s&eces t+at +aresulte ro- t+e e.oluton o -an ere slng on toars, or +a alrea6 arr.e at, an altoget+erne relatons+& *+e Elo, l!e t+e Carolngan !ngs, +a eca6e to a -ere beautul utlt6 *+e6 stll&ossesse t+e eart+ on suerance: snce t+e orloc!s, subterranean or nnu-erable generatons, +aco-e at last to n t+e a6lt surace ntolerable (n t+e orloc!s -ae t+er gar-ents, ) nerre,an -antane t+e- n t+er +abtual nees, &er+a&s t+roug+ t+e sur..al o an ol +abt o ser.ce *+e6 t as a stanng +orse &as t+ +s oot, or as a -an enjo6s !llng an-als n s&ort: becauseancent an e&arte necesstes +a -&resse t on t+e organs- ut, clearl6, t+e ol orer asalrea6 n &art re.erse *+e Ae-ess o t+e elcate ones as cree&ng on a&ace (ges ago, t+ousanso generatons ago, -an +a t+rust +s brot+er -an out o t+e ease an t+e suns+ne (n no t+atbrot+er as co-ng bac! c+angeL (lrea6 t+e Elo +a begun to learn one ol lesson ane *+e6 erebeco-ng reacHuante t+ @ear (n suenl6 t+ere ca-e nto -6 +ea t+e -e-or6 o t+e -eat )

+a seen n t+e nerorl )t see-e o +o t 7oate nto -6 -n: not strre u& as t ere b6 t+ecurrent o -6 -etatons, but co-ng n al-ost l!e a Hueston ro- outse ) tre to recall t+e or-o t ) +a a .ague sense o so-et+ng a-lar, but ) coul not tell +at t as at t+e t-e

'Btll, +oe.er +el&less t+e lttle &eo&le n t+e &resence o t+er -6sterous @ear, ) as erentl6consttute ) ca-e out o t+s age o ours, t+s r&e &r-e o t+e +u-an race, +en @ear oes not&aral6se an -6ster6 +as lost ts terrors ) at least oul een -6sel It+out urt+er ela6 )eter-ne to -a!e -6sel ar-s an a astness +ere ) -g+t slee& It+ t+at reuge as a base, ) coulace t+s strange orl t+ so-e o t+at conence ) +a lost n real=ng to +at creatures ng+t b6ng+t ) la6 e3&ose ) elt ) coul ne.er slee& agan untl -6 be as secure ro- t+e- ) s+ueret+ +orror to t+n! +o t+e6 -ust alrea6 +a.e e3a-ne -e

') anere urng t+e aternoon along t+e .alle6 o t+e *+a-es, but oun not+ng t+at co--ene

tsel to -6 -n as naccessble (ll t+e bulngs an trees see-e easl6 &ractcable to suc+e3terous cl-bers as t+e orloc!s, to juge b6 t+er ells, -ust be *+en t+e tall &nnacles o t+ePalace o Green Porcelan an t+e &ols+e glea- o ts alls ca-e bac! to -6 -e-or6 an n t+e

[2#]



e.enng, ta!ng Ieena l!e a c+l u&on -6 s+ouler, ) ent u& t+e +lls toars t+e sout+est *+estance, ) +a rec!one, as se.en or eg+t -les, but t -ust +a.e been nearer eg+teen ) +a rstseen t+e &lace on a -ost aternoon +en stances are ece&t.el6 -ns+e )n aton, t+e +eel o one o -6 s+oes as loose, an a nal as or!ng t+roug+ t+e sole;<t+e6 ere co-ortable ol s+oes) ore about noors;<so t+at ) as la-e (n t as alrea6 long &ast sunset +en ) ca-e n sg+t o t+e &alace, sl+ouette blac! aganst t+e &ale 6ello o t+e s!6

'Ieena +a been +ugel6 elg+te +en ) began to carr6 +er, but ater a +le s+e esre -e to let+er on, an ran along b6 t+e se o -e, occasonall6 artng o on et+er +an to &c! 7oers to

stc! n -6 &oc!ets 6 &oc!ets +a ala6s &u==le Ieena, but at t+e last s+e +a conclue t+at t+e6ere an eccentrc !n o .ase or 7oral ecoraton (t least s+e utl=e t+e- or t+at &ur&ose (n t+atre-ns -eL )n c+angng -6 jac!et ) oun;F'

*+e *-e *ra.eller &ause, &ut +s +an nto +s &oc!et, an slentl6 &lace to t+ere 7oers, notunl!e .er6 large +te -allos, u&on t+e lttle table *+en +e resu-e +s narrat.e

'(s t+e +us+ o e.enng cre&t o.er t+e orl an e &roceee o.er t+e +ll crest toars I-bleon,Ieena gre tre an ante to return to t+e +ouse o gre6 stone ut ) &onte out t+e stant&nnacles o t+e Palace o Green Porcelan to +er, an contr.e to -a!e +er unerstan t+at e eresee!ng a reuge t+ere ro- +er @ear >ou !no t+at great &ause t+at co-es u&on t+ngs beore t+eus!? E.en t+e bree=e sto&s n t+e trees *o -e t+ere s ala6s an ar o e3&ectaton about t+ate.enng stllness *+e s!6 as clear, re-ote, an e-&t6 sa.e or a e +or=ontal bars ar on n t+e

sunset Iell, t+at ng+t t+e e3&ectaton too! t+e colour o -6 ears )n t+at ar!lng cal- -6 sensessee-e &reternaturall6 s+ar&ene ) ance ) coul e.en eel t+e +olloness o t+e groun beneat+ -6eet: coul, nee, al-ost see t+roug+ t t+e orloc!s on t+er ant+ll gong +t+er an t+t+er anatng or t+e ar! )n -6 e3cte-ent ) ance t+at t+e6 oul rece.e -6 n.ason o t+er burros asa eclaraton o ar (n +6 +a t+e6 ta!en -6 *-e ac+ne?

'Bo e ent on n t+e Huet, an t+e tlg+t ee&ene nto ng+t *+e clear blue o t+e stance ae,an one star ater anot+er ca-e out *+e groun gre - an t+e trees blac! Ieena's ears an +eratgue gre u&on +er ) too! +er n -6 ar-s an tal!e to +er an caresse +er *+en, as t+e ar!nessgre ee&er, s+e &ut +er ar-s roun -6 nec!, an, closng +er e6es, tg+tl6 &resse +er ace aganst-6 s+ouler Bo e ent on a long slo&e nto a .alle6, an t+ere n t+e -ness ) al-ost al!e ntoa lttle r.er *+s ) ae, an ent u& t+e o&&oste se o t+e .alle6, &ast a nu-ber o slee&ng+ouses, an b6 a statue;<a @aun, or so-e suc+ gure, -nus t+e +ea 5ere too ere acacas Bo ar )+a seen not+ng o t+e orloc!s, but t as 6et earl6 n t+e ng+t, an t+e ar!er +ours beore t+e ol-oon rose ere stll to co-e

'@ro- t+e bro o t+e ne3t +ll ) sa a t+c! oo s&reang e an blac! beore -e ) +estate att+s ) coul see no en to t, et+er to t+e rg+t or t+e let @eelng tre;<-6 eet, n &artcular, ere.er6 sore;<) careull6 loere Ieena ro- -6 s+ouler as ) +alte, an sat on u&on t+e tur ) coulno longer see t+e Palace o Green Porcelan, an ) as n oubt o -6 recton ) loo!e nto t+et+c!ness o t+e oo an t+oug+t o +at t -g+t +e ner t+at ense tangle o branc+es oneoul be out o sg+t o t+e stars E.en ere t+ere no ot+er lur!ng anger;<a anger ) not care tolet -6 -agnaton loose u&on;<t+ere oul stll be all t+e roots to stu-ble o.er an t+e treeboles tostr!e aganst

') as .er6 tre, too, ater t+e e3cte-ents o t+e a6 so ) ece t+at ) oul not ace t, but oul&ass t+e ng+t u&on t+e o&en +ll

'Ieena, ) as gla to n, as ast aslee& ) careull6 ra&&e +er n -6 jac!et, an sat on bese+er to at or t+e -oonrse *+e +llse as Huet an eserte, but ro- t+e blac! o t+e oo t+ereca-e no an t+en a str o l.ng t+ngs (bo.e -e s+one t+e stars, or t+e ng+t as .er6 clear ) elta certan sense o renl6 co-ort n t+er tn!lng (ll t+e ol constellatons +a gone ro- t+e s!6,+oe.er: t+at slo -o.e-ent +c+ s -&erce&tble n a +unre +u-an let-es, +a long sncerearrange t+e- n una-lar grou&ngs ut t+e l!6 Ia6, t see-e to -e, as stll t+e sa-etattere strea-er o starust as o 6ore Bout+ar /as ) juge t as a .er6 brg+t re star t+at asne to -e t as e.en -ore s&len t+an our on green Brus (n a- all t+ese scntllatng &ontso lg+t one brg+t &lanet s+one !nl6 an steal6 l!e t+e ace o an ol ren

'%oo!ng at t+ese stars suenl6 are -6 on troubles an all t+e gra.tes o terrestral le )t+oug+t o t+er unat+o-able stance, an t+e slo ne.table rt o t+er -o.e-ents out o t+eun!non &ast nto t+e un!non uture ) t+oug+t o t+e great &recessonal c6cle t+at t+e &ole o t+e

[24]



eart+ escrbes Onl6 ort6 t-es +a t+at slent re.oluton occurre urng all t+e 6ears t+at ) +atra.erse (n urng t+ese e re.olutons all t+e act.t6, all t+e tratons, t+e co-&le3organ=atons, t+e natons, languages, lteratures, as&ratons, e.en t+e -ere -e-or6 o an as ) !ne+-, +a been se&t out o e3stence )nstea ere t+ese ral creatures +o +a orgotten t+er +g+ancestr6, an t+e +te *+ngs o +c+ ) ent n terror *+en ) t+oug+t o t+e Great @ear t+at asbeteen t+e to s&eces, an or t+e rst t-e, t+ a suen s+.er, ca-e t+e clear !nolege o +at t+e -eat ) +a seen -g+t be >et t as too +orrbleL ) loo!e at lttle Ieena slee&ng bese -e,+er ace +te an starl!e uner t+e stars, an ort+t+ s-sse t+e t+oug+t

'*+roug+ t+at long ng+t ) +el -6 -n o t+e orloc!s as ell as ) coul, an +le aa6 t+e t-e b6tr6ng to anc6 ) coul n sgns o t+e ol constellatons n t+e ne conuson *+e s!6 !e&t .er6 clear,e3ce&t or a +a=6 clou or so Ao oubt ) o=e at t-es *+en, as -6 .gl ore on, ca-e a antness nt+e eastar s!6, l!e t+e re7ecton o so-e colourless re, an t+e ol -oon rose, t+n an &ea!ean +te (n close be+n, an o.erta!ng t, an o.er7ong t, t+e an ca-e, &ale at rst, ant+en grong &n! an ar- Ao orloc!s +a a&&roac+e us )nee, ) +a seen none u&on t+e +llt+at ng+t (n n t+e conence o renee a6 t al-ost see-e to -e t+at -6 ear +a beenunreasonable ) stoo u& an oun -6 oot t+ t+e loose +eel sollen at t+e an!le an &anul unert+e +eel so ) sat on agan, too! o -6 s+oes, an 7ung t+e- aa6

') aa!ene Ieena, an e ent on nto t+e oo, no green an &leasant nstea o blac! anorbng Ie oun so-e rut +eret+ to brea! our ast Ie soon -et ot+ers o t+e ant6 ones,laug+ng an ancng n t+e sunlg+t as t+oug+ t+ere as no suc+ t+ng n nature as t+e ng+t (n t+en

) t+oug+t once -ore o t+e -eat t+at ) +a seen ) elt assure no o +at t as, an ro- t+e botto-o -6 +eart ) &te t+s last eeble rll ro- t+e great 7oo o +u-ant6 Clearl6, at so-e t-e n t+e%ong(go o +u-an eca6 t+e orloc!s' oo +a run s+ort Possbl6 t+e6 +a l.e on rats an suc+l!e .er-n E.en no -an s ar less scr-natng an e3clus.e n +s oo t+an +e as;<ar lesst+an an6 -on!e6 5s &rejuce aganst +u-an 7es+ s no ee&seate nstnct (n so t+ese n+u-ansons o -en;<;<L ) tre to loo! at t+e t+ng n a scentc s&rt (ter all, t+e6 ere less +u-an an-ore re-ote t+an our cannbal ancestors o t+ree or our t+ousan 6ears ago (n t+e ntellgence t+atoul +a.e -ae t+s state o t+ngs a tor-ent +a gone I+6 s+oul ) trouble -6sel? *+ese Elo ere-ere atte cattle, +c+ t+e antl!e orloc!s &reser.e an &re6e u&on;<&robabl6 sa to t+ebreeng o (n t+ere as Ieena ancng at -6 seL

'*+en ) tre to &reser.e -6sel ro- t+e +orror t+at as co-ng u&on -e, b6 regarng t as a rgorous&uns+-ent o +u-an sels+ness an +a been content to l.e n ease an elg+t u&on t+e labours o +s ello-an, +a ta!en Aecesst6 as +s atc+or an e3cuse, an n t+e ullness o t-e Aecesst6+a co-e +o-e to +- ) e.en tre a Carl6lel!e scorn o t+s retc+e arstocrac6 n eca6 ut t+satttue o -n as -&ossble 5oe.er great t+er ntellectual egraaton, t+e Elo +a !e&t too-uc+ o t+e +u-an or- not to cla- -6 s6-&at+6, an to -a!e -e &erorce a s+arer n t+eregraaton an t+er @ear

') +a at t+at t-e .er6 .ague eas as to t+e course ) s+oul &ursue 6 rst as to secure so-e sae&lace o reuge, an to -a!e -6sel suc+ ar-s o -etal or stone as ) coul contr.e *+at necesst6 as--eate )n t+e ne3t &lace, ) +o&e to &rocure so-e -eans o re, so t+at ) s+oul +a.e t+e ea&ono a torc+ at +an, or not+ng, ) !ne, oul be -ore eKcent aganst t+ese orloc!s *+en ) anteto arrange so-e contr.ance to brea! o&en t+e oors o bron=e uner t+e I+te B&+n3 ) +a n -n abatterng ra- ) +a a &ersuason t+at ) coul enter t+ose oors an carr6 a bla=e o lg+t beore -e )

s+oul sco.er t+e *-e ac+ne an esca&e ) coul not -agne t+e orloc!s ere strong enoug+ to-o.e t ar aa6 Ieena ) +a resol.e to brng t+ -e to our on t-e (n turnng suc+ sc+e-eso.er n -6 -n ) &ursue our a6 toars t+e bulng +c+ -6 anc6 +a c+osen as our ellng

M)))

') oun t+e Palace o Green Porcelan, +en e a&&roac+e t about noon, eserte an allng ntorun Onl6 ragge .estges o glass re-ane n ts nos, an great s+eets o t+e green acng +aallen aa6 ro- t+e corroe -etallc ra-eor! )t la6 .er6 +g+ u&on a tur6 on, an loo!ngnort+eastar beore ) entere t, ) as sur&rse to see a large estuar6, or e.en cree!, +ere ) jugeIansort+ an attersea -ust once +a.e been ) t+oug+t t+en;<t+oug+ ) ne.er olloe u& t+et+oug+t;<o +at -g+t +a.e +a&&ene, or -g+t be +a&&enng, to t+e l.ng t+ngs n t+e sea

'*+e -ateral o t+e Palace &ro.e on e3a-naton to be nee &orcelan, an along t+e ace o t ) saan nscr&ton n so-e un!non c+aracter ) t+oug+t, rat+er ools+l6, t+at Ieena -g+t +el& -e to

[2$]



nter&ret t+s, but ) onl6 learne t+at t+e bare ea o rtng +a ne.er entere +er +ea B+e ala6ssee-e to -e, ) anc6, -ore +u-an t+an s+e as, &er+a&s because +er aecton as so +u-an

'It+n t+e bg .al.es o t+e oor;<+c+ ere o&en an bro!en;<e oun, nstea o t+ecusto-ar6 +all, a long galler6 lt b6 -an6 se nos (t t+e rst glance ) as re-ne o a-useu- *+e tle 7oor as t+c! t+ ust, an a re-ar!able arra6 o -scellaneous objects ass+roue n t+e sa-e gre6 co.erng *+en ) &erce.e, stanng strange an gaunt n t+e centre o t+e+all, +at as clearl6 t+e loer &art o a +uge s!eleton ) recogn=e b6 t+e oblHue eet t+at t asso-e e3tnct creature ater t+e as+on o t+e egat+eru- *+e s!ull an t+e u&&er bones la6 bese t

n t+e t+c! ust, an n one &lace, +ere ranater +a ro&&e t+roug+ a lea! n t+e roo, t+e t+ngtsel +a been orn aa6 @urt+er n t+e galler6 as t+e +uge s!eleton barrel o a rontosaurus 6-useu- +6&ot+ess as conr-e Gong toars t+e se ) oun +at a&&eare to be slo&ngs+el.es, an clearng aa6 t+e t+c! ust, ) oun t+e ol a-lar glass cases o our on t-e ut t+e6-ust +a.e been artg+t to juge ro- t+e ar &reser.aton o so-e o t+er contents

'Clearl6 e stoo a-ong t+e runs o so-e lattera6 Bout+ TensngtonL 5ere, a&&arentl6, as t+ePalaeontologcal Becton, an a .er6 s&len arra6 o ossls t -ust +a.e been, t+oug+ t+e ne.table&rocess o eca6 t+at +a been sta.e o or a t-e, an +a, t+roug+ t+e e3tncton o bactera anung, lost nnet6nne +unret+s o ts orce, as ne.ert+eless, t+ e3tre-e sureness t+ e3tre-esloness at or! agan u&on all ts treasures 5ere an t+ere ) oun traces o t+e lttle &eo&le n t+es+a&e o rare ossls bro!en to &eces or t+reae n strngs u&on rees (n t+e cases +a n so-enstances been bol6 re-o.e;<b6 t+e orloc!s as ) juge *+e &lace as .er6 slent *+e t+c! ust

eaene our ootste&s Ieena, +o +a been rollng a sea urc+n on t+e slo&ng glass o a case,&resentl6 ca-e, as ) stare about -e, an .er6 Huetl6 too! -6 +an an stoo bese -e

'(n at rst ) as so -uc+ sur&rse b6 t+s ancent -onu-ent o an ntellectual age, t+at ) ga.e not+oug+t to t+e &ossbltes t &resente E.en -6 &reoccu&aton about t+e *-e ac+ne recee alttle ro- -6 -n

'*o juge ro- t+e s=e o t+e &lace, t+s Palace o Green Porcelan +a a great eal -ore n t t+an aGaller6 o Palaeontolog6 &ossbl6 +storcal galleres t -g+t be, e.en a lbrar6L *o -e, at least n -6&resent crcu-stances, t+ese oul be .astl6 -ore nterestng t+an t+s s&ectacle o olt-e geolog6 neca6 E3&lorng, ) oun anot+er s+ort galler6 runnng trans.ersel6 to t+e rst *+s a&&eare to bee.ote to -nerals, an t+e sg+t o a bloc! o sul&+ur set -6 -n runnng on gun&oer ut ) couln no salt&eter nee, no ntrates o an6 !n Doubtless t+e6 +a elHuesce ages ago >et t+esul&+ur +ung n -6 -n, an set u& a tran o t+n!ng (s or t+e rest o t+e contents o t+at galler6,t+oug+ on t+e +ole t+e6 ere t+e best &reser.e o all ) sa, ) +a lttle nterest ) a- no s&ecalst n-neralog6, an ) ent on on a .er6 runous asle runnng &arallel to t+e rst +all ) +a entere(&&arentl6 t+s secton +a been e.ote to natural +stor6, but e.er6t+ng +a long snce &asse outo recognton ( e s+r.elle an blac!ene .estges o +at +a once been stue an-als,esccate -u--es n jars t+at +a once +el s&rt, a bron ust o e&arte &lants: t+at as allL )as sorr6 or t+at, because ) s+oul +a.e been gla to trace t+e &atent reajust-ents b6 +c+ t+econHuest o an-ate nature +a been attane *+en e ca-e to a galler6 o s-&l6 colossal&ro&ortons, but sngularl6 lllt, t+e 7oor o t runnng onar at a slg+t angle ro- t+e en at +c+) entere (t nter.als +te globes +ung ro- t+e celng;<-an6 o t+e- crac!e ans-as+e;<+c+ suggeste t+at orgnall6 t+e &lace +a been artcall6 lt 5ere ) as -ore n -6ele-ent, or rsng on et+er se o -e ere t+e +uge bul!s o bg -ac+nes, all greatl6 corroe an

-an6 bro!en on, but so-e stll arl6 co-&lete >ou !no ) +a.e a certan ea!ness or -ec+ans-,an ) as nclne to lnger a-ong t+ese t+e -ore so as or t+e -ost &art t+e6 +a t+e nterest o &u==les, an ) coul -a!e onl6 t+e .aguest guesses at +at t+e6 ere or ) ance t+at ) coul sol.et+er &u==les ) s+oul n -6sel n &ossesson o &oers t+at -g+t be o use aganst t+e orloc!s

'Buenl6 Ieena ca-e .er6 close to -6 se Bo suenl6 t+at s+e startle -e 5a t not been or +er) o not t+n! ) s+oul +a.e notce t+at t+e 7oor o t+e galler6 slo&e at all [@ootnote: )t -a6 be, o course, t+at t+e 7oor not slo&e, but t+at t+e -useu- as bult nto t+e se o a +ll;<ED] *+een ) +a co-e n at as Hute abo.e groun, an as lt b6 rare sltl!e nos (s 6ou ent ont+e lengt+, t+e groun ca-e u& aganst t+ese nos, untl at last t+ere as a &t l!e t+e SareaS o a%onon +ouse beore eac+, an onl6 a narro lne o a6lg+t at t+e to& ) ent slol6 along, &u==lngabout t+e -ac+nes, an +a been too ntent u&on t+e- to notce t+e graual -nuton o t+e lg+t,untl Ieena's ncreasng a&&re+ensons re -6 attenton *+en ) sa t+at t+e galler6 ran on at last

nto a t+c! ar!ness ) +estate, an t+en, as ) loo!e roun -e, ) sa t+at t+e ust as less abunantan ts surace less e.en @urt+er aa6 toars t+e -ness, t a&&eare to be bro!en b6 a nu-ber o s-all narro oot&rnts 6 sense o t+e --eate &resence o t+e orloc!s re..e at t+at ) elt t+at )

[2Q]



as astng -6 t-e n t+e acae-c e3a-naton o -ac+ner6 ) calle to -n t+at t as alrea6 ara.ance n t+e aternoon, an t+at ) +a stll no ea&on, no reuge, an no -eans o -a!ng a re(n t+en on n t+e re-ote blac!ness o t+e galler6 ) +ear a &ecular &atterng, an t+e sa-e onoses ) +a +ear on t+e ell

') too! Ieena's +an *+en, struc! t+ a suen ea, ) let +er an turne to a -ac+ne ro- +c+&rojecte a le.er not unl!e t+ose n a sgnalbo3 Cla-berng u&on t+e stan, an gras&ng t+s le.er n-6 +ans, ) &ut all -6 eg+t u&on t sea6s Buenl6 Ieena, eserte n t+e central asle, beganto +-&er ) +a juge t+e strengt+ o t+e le.er &rett6 correctl6, or t sna&&e ater a -nute's

stran, an ) rejone +er t+ a -ace n -6 +an -ore t+an suKcent, ) juge, or an6 orloc! s!ull )-g+t encounter (n ) longe .er6 -uc+ to !ll a orloc! or so Mer6 n+u-an, 6ou -a6 t+n!, to antto go !llng one's on escenantsL ut t as -&ossble, so-e+o, to eel an6 +u-ant6 n t+et+ngs Onl6 -6 snclnaton to lea.e Ieena, an a &ersuason t+at ) began to sla!e -6 t+rst or-urer -6 *-e ac+ne -g+t suer, restrane -e ro- gong strag+t on t+e galler6 an !llngt+e brutes ) +ear

'Iell, -ace n one +an an Ieena n t+e ot+er, ) ent out o t+at galler6 an nto anot+er an stlllarger one, +c+ at t+e rst glance re-ne -e o a -ltar6 c+a&el +ung t+ tattere 7ags *+ebron an c+arre rags t+at +ung ro- t+e ses o t, ) &resentl6 recogn=e as t+e eca6ng .estgeso boo!s *+e6 +a long snce ro&&e to &eces, an e.er6 se-blance o &rnt +a let t+e- ut +erean t+ere ere ar&e boars an crac!e -etallc clas&s t+at tol t+e tale ell enoug+ 5a ) been alterar6 -an ) -g+t, &er+a&s, +a.e -oral=e u&on t+e utlt6 o all a-bton ut as t as, t+e t+ng

t+at struc! -e t+ !eenest orce as t+e enor-ous aste o labour to +c+ t+s so-bre lerness o rottng &a&er teste (t t+e t-e ) ll coness t+at ) t+oug+t c+e76 o t+e P+loso&+cal *ransactonsan -6 on se.enteen &a&ers u&on &+6scal o&tcs

'*+en, gong u& a broa starcase, e ca-e to +at -a6 once +a.e been a galler6 o tec+ncalc+e-str6 (n +ere ) +a not a lttle +o&e o useul sco.eres E3ce&t at one en +ere t+e roo +acolla&se, t+s galler6 as ell &reser.e ) ent eagerl6 to e.er6 unbro!en case (n at last, n one o t+e reall6 artg+t cases, ) oun a bo3 o -atc+es Mer6 eagerl6 ) tre t+e- *+e6 ere &erectl6 goo *+e6 ere not e.en a-& ) turne to Ieena SDance,S ) cre to +er n +er on tongue @or no ) +a aea&on nee aganst t+e +orrble creatures e eare (n so, n t+at erelct -useu-, u&on t+et+c! sot car&etng o ust, to Ieena's +uge elg+t, ) sole-nl6 &eror-e a !n o co-&oste ance,+stlng *+e %an o t+e %eal as c+eerull6 as ) coul )n &art t as a -oest cancan, n &art a ste&ance, n &art a s!rtance /so ar as -6 talcoat &er-tte, an n &art orgnal @or ) a- naturall6n.ent.e, as 6ou !no

'Ao, ) stll t+n! t+at or t+s bo3 o -atc+es to +a.e esca&e t+e ear o t-e or --e-oral 6earsas a -ost strange, as or -e t as a -ost ortunate t+ng >et, ol6 enoug+, ) oun a ar unl!elersubstance, an t+at as ca-&+or ) oun t n a seale jar, t+at b6 c+ance, ) su&&ose, +a been reall6+er-etcall6 seale ) ance at rst t+at t as &araKn a3, an s-as+e t+e glass accorngl6 utt+e oour o ca-&+or as un-sta!able )n t+e un.ersal eca6 t+s .olatle substance +a c+ance tosur..e, &er+a&s t+roug+ -an6 t+ousans o centures )t re-ne -e o a se&a &antng ) +a onceseen one ro- t+e n! o a ossl ele-nte t+at -ust +a.e &ers+e an beco-e ossl=e -llons o 6ears ago ) as about to t+ro t aa6, but ) re-e-bere t+at t as n7a--able an burne t+ agoo brg+t 7a-e;<as, n act, an e3cellent canle;<an ) &ut t n -6 &oc!et ) oun noe3&los.es, +oe.er, nor an6 -eans o brea!ng on t+e bron=e oors (s 6et -6 ron crobar as

t+e -ost +el&ul t+ng ) +a c+ance u&on Ae.ert+eless ) let t+at galler6 greatl6 elate

') cannot tell 6ou all t+e stor6 o t+at long aternoon )t oul reHure a great eort o -e-or6 to recall-6 e3&loratons n at all t+e &ro&er orer ) re-e-ber a long galler6 o rustng stans o ar-s, an +o) +estate beteen -6 crobar an a +atc+et or a sor ) coul not carr6 bot+, +oe.er, an -6 baro ron &ro-se best aganst t+e bron=e gates *+ere ere nu-bers o guns, &stols, an r7es *+e-ost ere -asses o rust, but -an6 ere o so-e ne -etal, an stll arl6 soun ut an6 cartrgesor &oer t+ere -a6 once +a.e been +a rotte nto ust One corner ) sa as c+arre an s+attere&er+a&s, ) t+oug+t, b6 an e3&loson a-ong t+e s&ec-ens )n anot+er &lace as a .ast arra6 o ols;<Pol6nesan, e3can, Grecan, P+oencan, e.er6 countr6 on eart+ ) s+oul t+n! (n +ere,6elng to an rresstble -&ulse, ) rote -6 na-e u&on t+e nose o a steatte -onster ro- Bout+(-erca t+at &artcularl6 too! -6 anc6

'(s t+e e.enng re on, -6 nterest ane ) ent t+roug+ galler6 ater galler6, ust6, slent, otenrunous, t+e e3+bts so-et-es -ere +ea&s o rust an lgnte, so-et-es res+er )n one &lace )suenl6 oun -6sel near t+e -oel o a tn-ne, an t+en b6 t+e -erest accent ) sco.ere, n

[2]



an artg+t case, to 6na-te cartrgesL ) s+oute SEure!aLS an s-as+e t+e case t+ jo6 *+enca-e a oubt ) +estate *+en, selectng a lttle se galler6, ) -ae -6 essa6 ) ne.er elt suc+ asa&&ont-ent as ) n atng .e, ten, teen -nutes or an e3&loson t+at ne.er ca-e O courset+e t+ngs ere u--es, as ) -g+t +a.e guesse ro- t+er &resence ) reall6 bele.e t+at +a t+e6not been so, ) s+oul +a.e rus+e o ncontnentl6 an blon B&+n3, bron=e oors, an /as t &ro.e-6 c+ances o nng t+e *-e ac+ne, all toget+er nto none3stence

')t as ater t+at, ) t+n!, t+at e ca-e to a lttle o&en court t+n t+e &alace )t as ture, an +at+ree ruttrees Bo e reste an reres+e oursel.es *oars sunset ) began to conser our &oston

Ag+t as cree&ng u&on us, an -6 naccessble +ng&lace +a stll to be oun ut t+at trouble-e .er6 lttle no ) +a n -6 &ossesson a t+ng t+at as, &er+a&s, t+e best o all eences aganstt+e orloc!s;<) +a -atc+esL ) +a t+e ca-&+or n -6 &oc!et, too, a bla=e ere neee )t see-eto -e t+at t+e best t+ng e coul o oul be to &ass t+e ng+t n t+e o&en, &rotecte b6 a re )n t+e-ornng t+ere as t+e gettng o t+e *-e ac+ne *oars t+at, as 6et, ) +a onl6 -6 ron -ace utno, t+ -6 grong !nolege, ) elt .er6 erentl6 toars t+ose bron=e oors & to t+s, ) +arerane ro- orcng t+e-, largel6 because o t+e -6ster6 on t+e ot+er se *+e6 +a ne.er-&resse -e as beng .er6 strong, an ) +o&e to n -6 bar o ron not altoget+er naeHuate or t+eor!

)U

'Ie e-erge ro- t+e &alace +le t+e sun as stll n &art abo.e t+e +or=on ) as eter-ne to

reac+ t+e I+te B&+n3 earl6 t+e ne3t -ornng, an ere t+e us! ) &ur&ose &us+ng t+roug+ t+e oost+at +a sto&&e -e on t+e &re.ous journe6 6 &lan as to go as ar as &ossble t+at ng+t, an t+en,bulng a re, to slee& n t+e &rotecton o ts glare (ccorngl6, as e ent along ) gat+ere an6stc!s or re grass ) sa, an &resentl6 +a -6 ar-s ull o suc+ ltter *+us loae, our &rogress assloer t+an ) +a antc&ate, an beses Ieena as tre (n ) began to suer ro- slee&ness tooso t+at t as ull ng+t beore e reac+e t+e oo &on t+e s+rubb6 +ll o ts ege Ieena oul+a.e sto&&e, earng t+e ar!ness beore us but a sngular sense o -&enng cala-t6, t+at s+oulnee +a.e ser.e -e as a arnng, ro.e -e onar ) +a been t+out slee& or a ng+t an toa6s, an ) as e.ers+ an rrtable ) elt slee& co-ng u&on -e, an t+e orloc!s t+ t

'I+le e +estate, a-ong t+e blac! bus+es be+n us, an - aganst t+er blac!ness, ) sa t+reecrouc+ng gures *+ere as scrub an long grass all about us, an ) not eel sae ro- t+ernsous a&&roac+ *+e orest, ) calculate, as rat+er less t+an a -le across ) e coul get t+roug+t to t+e bare +llse, t+ere, as t see-e to -e, as an altoget+er saer restng&lace ) t+oug+t t+att+ -6 -atc+es an -6 ca-&+or ) coul contr.e to !ee& -6 &at+ llu-nate t+roug+ t+e oos >ett as e.ent t+at ) as to 7ours+ -atc+es t+ -6 +ans ) s+oul +a.e to abanon -6 reooso, rat+er reluctantl6, ) &ut t on (n t+en t ca-e nto -6 +ea t+at ) oul a-a=e our rensbe+n b6 lg+tng t ) as to sco.er t+e atrocous oll6 o t+s &roceeng, but t ca-e to -6 -n asan ngenous -o.e or co.erng our retreat

') on't !no 6ou +a.e e.er t+oug+t +at a rare t+ng 7a-e -ust be n t+e absence o -an an n ate-&erate cl-ate *+e sun's +eat s rarel6 strong enoug+ to burn, e.en +en t s ocuse b6ero&s, as s so-et-es t+e case n -ore tro&cal strcts %g+tnng -a6 blast an blac!en, but trarel6 g.es rse to es&rea re Deca6ng .egetaton -a6 occasonall6 s-ouler t+ t+e +eat o tser-entaton, but t+s rarel6 results n 7a-e )n t+s ecaence, too, t+e art o re-a!ng +a been

orgotten on t+e eart+ *+e re tongues t+at ent lc!ng u& -6 +ea& o oo ere an altoget+er nean strange t+ng to Ieena

'B+e ante to run to t an &la6 t+ t ) bele.e s+e oul +a.e cast +ersel nto t +a ) notrestrane +er ut ) caug+t +er u&, an n s&te o +er struggles, &lunge boll6 beore -e nto t+eoo @or a lttle a6 t+e glare o -6 re lt t+e &at+ %oo!ng bac! &resentl6, ) coul see, t+roug+ t+ecroe ste-s, t+at ro- -6 +ea& o stc!s t+e bla=e +a s&rea to so-e bus+es ajacent, an acur.e lne o re as cree&ng u& t+e grass o t+e +ll ) laug+e at t+at, an turne agan to t+e ar!trees beore -e )t as .er6 blac!, an Ieena clung to -e con.uls.el6, but t+ere as stll, as -6 e6esgre accusto-e to t+e ar!ness, suKcent lg+t or -e to a.o t+e ste-s O.er+ea t as s-&l6blac!, e3ce&t +ere a ga& o re-ote blue s!6 s+one on u&on us +ere an t+ere ) struc! none o -6-atc+es because ) +a no +an ree &on -6 let ar- ) carre -6 lttle one, n -6 rg+t +an ) +a -6ron bar

'@or so-e a6 ) +ear not+ng but t+e crac!lng tgs uner -6 eet, t+e ant rustle o t+e bree=eabo.e, an -6 on breat+ng an t+e t+rob o t+e bloo.essels n -6 ears *+en ) see-e to !no o

[28]



a &atterng about -e ) &us+e on gr-l6 *+e &atterng gre -ore stnct, an t+en ) caug+t t+e sa-eHueer soun an .oces ) +a +ear n t+e nerorl *+ere ere e.entl6 se.eral o t+e orloc!s,an t+e6 ere closng n u&on -e )nee, n anot+er -nute ) elt a tug at -6 coat, t+en so-et+ng at-6 ar- (n Ieena s+.ere .olentl6, an beca-e Hute stll

')t as t-e or a -atc+ ut to get one ) -ust &ut +er on ) so, an, as ) u-ble t+ -6 &oc!et,a struggle began n t+e ar!ness about -6 !nees, &erectl6 slent on +er &art an t+ t+e sa-e&ecular coong souns ro- t+e orloc!s Bot lttle +ans, too, ere cree&ng o.er -6 coat an bac!,touc+ng e.en -6 nec! *+en t+e -atc+ scratc+e an ==e ) +el t 7arng, an sa t+e +te bac!s

o t+e orloc!s n 7g+t a- t+e trees ) +astl6 too! a lu-& o ca-&+or ro- -6 &oc!et, an &re&areto lg+t t as soon as t+e -atc+ s+oul ane *+en ) loo!e at Ieena B+e as l6ng clutc+ng -6 eetan Hute -otonless, t+ +er ace to t+e groun It+ a suen rg+t ) stoo&e to +er B+e see-escarcel6 to breat+e ) lt t+e bloc! o ca-&+or an 7ung t to t+e groun, an as t s&lt an 7are u&an ro.e bac! t+e orloc!s an t+e s+aos, ) !nelt on an lte +er *+e oo be+n see-eull o t+e str an -ur-ur o a great co-&an6L

'B+e see-e to +a.e ante ) &ut +er careull6 u&on -6 s+ouler an rose to &us+ on, an t+en t+ereca-e a +orrble real=aton )n -anoeu.rng t+ -6 -atc+es an Ieena, ) +a turne -6sel aboutse.eral t-es, an no ) +a not t+e antest ea n +at recton la6 -6 &at+ @or all ) !ne, ) -g+tbe acng bac! toars t+e Palace o Green Porcelan ) oun -6sel n a col seat ) +a to t+n!ra&l6 +at to o ) eter-ne to bul a re an enca-& +ere e ere ) &ut Ieena, stll-otonless, on u&on a tur6 bole, an .er6 +astl6, as -6 rst lu-& o ca-&+or ane, ) began

collectng stc!s an lea.es 5ere an t+ere out o t+e ar!ness roun -e t+e orloc!s' e6es s+one l!ecarbuncles

'*+e ca-&+or 7c!ere an ent out ) lt a -atc+, an as ) so, to +te or-s t+at +a beena&&roac+ng Ieena as+e +astl6 aa6 One as so blne b6 t+e lg+t t+at +e ca-e strag+t or -e,an ) elt +s bones grn uner t+e blo o -6 st 5e ga.e a +oo& o s-a6, staggere a lttle a6,an ell on ) lt anot+er &ece o ca-&+or, an ent on gat+erng -6 bonre Presentl6 ) notce +or6 as so-e o t+e olage abo.e -e, or snce -6 arr.al on t+e *-e ac+ne, a -atter o a ee!, noran +a allen Bo, nstea o castng about a-ong t+e trees or allen tgs, ) began lea&ng u& anraggng on branc+es Mer6 soon ) +a a c+o!ng s-o!6 re o green oo an r6 stc!s, an coulecono-=e -6 ca-&+or *+en ) turne to +ere Ieena la6 bese -6 ron -ace ) tre +at ) coul tore..e +er, but s+e la6 l!e one ea ) coul not e.en sats6 -6sel +et+er or not s+e breat+e

'Ao, t+e s-o!e o t+e re beat o.er toars -e, an t -ust +a.e -ae -e +ea.6 o a suenoreo.er, t+e .a&our o ca-&+or as n t+e ar 6 re oul not nee re&lens+ng or an +our or so )elt .er6 ear6 ater -6 e3erton, an sat on *+e oo, too, as ull o a slu-brous -ur-ur t+at ) not unerstan ) see-e just to no an o&en -6 e6es ut all as ar!, an t+e orloc!s +at+er +ans u&on -e @lngng o t+er clngng ngers ) +astl6 elt n -6 &oc!et or t+e -atc+bo3,an;<t +a goneL *+en t+e6 gr&&e an close t+ -e agan )n a -o-ent ) !ne +at +a+a&&ene ) +a sle&t, an -6 re +a gone out, an t+e btterness o eat+ ca-e o.er -6 soul *+eorest see-e ull o t+e s-ell o burnng oo ) as caug+t b6 t+e nec!, b6 t+e +ar, b6 t+e ar-s, an&ulle on )t as nescrbabl6 +orrble n t+e ar!ness to eel all t+ese sot creatures +ea&e u&on-e ) elt as ) as n a -onstrous s&er's eb ) as o.er&oere, an ent on ) elt lttle teet+n&&ng at -6 nec! ) rolle o.er, an as ) so -6 +an ca-e aganst -6 ron le.er )t ga.e -estrengt+ ) struggle u&, s+a!ng t+e +u-an rats ro- -e, an, +olng t+e bar s+ort, ) t+rust +ere )

juge t+er aces -g+t be ) coul eel t+e succulent g.ng o 7es+ an bone uner -6 blos, an ora -o-ent ) as ree

'*+e strange e3ultaton t+at so oten see-s to acco-&an6 +ar g+tng ca-e u&on -e ) !ne t+atbot+ ) an Ieena ere lost, but ) eter-ne to -a!e t+e orloc!s &a6 or t+er -eat ) stoo t+ -6bac! to a tree, sngng t+e ron bar beore -e *+e +ole oo as ull o t+e str an cres o t+e- (-nute &asse *+er .oces see-e to rse to a +g+er &tc+ o e3cte-ent, an t+er -o.e-ents greaster >et none ca-e t+n reac+ ) stoo glarng at t+e blac!ness *+en suenl6 ca-e +o&e I+at t+e orloc!s ere ara? (n close on t+e +eels o t+at ca-e a strange t+ng *+e ar!ness see-e togro lu-nous Mer6 -l6 ) began to see t+e orloc!s about -e;<t+ree battere at -6 eet;<ant+en ) recogn=e, t+ ncreulous sur&rse, t+at t+e ot+ers ere runnng, n an ncessant strea-, as tsee-e, ro- be+n -e, an aa6 t+roug+ t+e oo n ront (n t+er bac!s see-e no longer+te, but res+ (s ) stoo aga&e, ) sa a lttle re s&ar! go rtng across a ga& o starlg+t beteen

t+e branc+es, an .ans+ (n at t+at ) unerstoo t+e s-ell o burnng oo, t+e slu-brous -ur-urt+at as grong no nto a gust6 roar, t+e re glo, an t+e orloc!s' 7g+t

[29]



'Bte&&ng out ro- be+n -6 tree an loo!ng bac!, ) sa, t+roug+ t+e blac! &llars o t+e nearer trees,t+e 7a-es o t+e burnng orest )t as -6 rst re co-ng ater -e It+ t+at ) loo!e or Ieena, buts+e as gone *+e +ssng an crac!lng be+n -e, t+e e3&los.e t+u as eac+ res+ tree burst nto7a-e, let lttle t-e or re7ecton 6 ron bar stll gr&&e, ) olloe n t+e orloc!s' &at+ )t as aclose race Once t+e 7a-es cre&t orar so stl6 on -6 rg+t as ) ran t+at ) as out7an!e an +ato str!e o to t+e let ut at last ) e-erge u&on a s-all o&en s&ace, an as ) so, a orloc! ca-eblunerng toars -e, an &ast -e, an ent on strag+t nto t+e reL

'(n no ) as to see t+e -ost er an +orrble t+ng, ) t+n!, o all t+at ) be+el n t+at uture age

*+s +ole s&ace as as brg+t as a6 t+ t+e re7ecton o t+e re )n t+e centre as a +lloc! ortu-ulus, sur-ounte b6 a scorc+e +at+orn e6on t+s as anot+er ar- o t+e burnng orest, t+6ello tongues alrea6 rt+ng ro- t, co-&letel6 encrclng t+e s&ace t+ a ence o re &on t+e+llse ere so-e t+rt6 or ort6 orloc!s, a==le b6 t+e lg+t an +eat, an blunerng +t+er ant+t+er aganst eac+ ot+er n t+er beler-ent (t rst ) not real=e t+er blnness, an struc!urousl6 at t+e- t+ -6 bar, n a ren=6 o ear, as t+e6 a&&roac+e -e, !llng one an cr&&lngse.eral -ore ut +en ) +a atc+e t+e gestures o one o t+e- gro&ng uner t+e +at+orn aganstt+e re s!6, an +ear t+er -oans, ) as assure o t+er absolute +el&lessness an -ser6 n t+eglare, an ) struc! no -ore o t+e-

'>et e.er6 no an t+en one oul co-e strag+t toars -e, settng loose a Hu.erng +orror t+at-ae -e Huc! to elue +- (t one t-e t+e 7a-es e on so-e+at, an ) eare t+e oulcreatures oul &resentl6 be able to see -e ) as t+n!ng o begnnng t+e g+t b6 !llng so-e o

t+e- beore t+s s+oul +a&&en but t+e re burst out agan brg+tl6, an ) sta6e -6 +an ) al!eabout t+e +ll a-ong t+e- an a.oe t+e-, loo!ng or so-e trace o Ieena ut Ieena as gone

'(t last ) sat on on t+e su--t o t+e +lloc!, an atc+e t+s strange ncreble co-&an6 o blnt+ngs gro&ng to an ro, an -a!ng uncann6 noses to eac+ ot+er, as t+e glare o t+e re beat ont+e- *+e colng u&rus+ o s-o!e strea-e across t+e s!6, an t+roug+ t+e rare tatters o t+at recano&6, re-ote as t+oug+ t+e6 belonge to anot+er un.erse, s+one t+e lttle stars *o or t+reeorloc!s ca-e blunerng nto -e, an ) ro.e t+e- o t+ blos o -6 sts, tre-blng as ) so

'@or t+e -ost &art o t+at ng+t ) as &ersuae t as a ng+t-are ) bt -6sel an screa-e n a&assonate esre to aa!e ) beat t+e groun t+ -6 +ans, an got u& an sat on agan, ananere +ere an t+ere, an agan sat on *+en ) oul all to rubbng -6 e6es an callng u&onGo to let -e aa!e *+rce ) sa orloc!s &ut t+er +eas on n a !n o agon6 an rus+ nto t+e7a-es ut, at last, abo.e t+e subsng re o t+e re, abo.e t+e strea-ng -asses o blac! s-o!ean t+e +tenng an blac!enng tree stu-&s, an t+e -ns+ng nu-bers o t+ese - creatures,ca-e t+e +te lg+t o t+e a6

') searc+e agan or traces o Ieena, but t+ere ere none )t as &lan t+at t+e6 +a let +er &oor lttlebo6 n t+e orest ) cannot escrbe +o t rele.e -e to t+n! t+at t +a esca&e t+e aul ate to+c+ t see-e estne (s ) t+oug+t o t+at, ) as al-ost -o.e to begn a -assacre o t+e +el&lessabo-natons about -e, but ) contane -6sel *+e +lloc!, as ) +a.e sa, as a !n o slan n t+eorest @ro- ts su--t ) coul no -a!e out t+roug+ a +a=e o s-o!e t+e Palace o Green Porcelan,an ro- t+at ) coul get -6 bearngs or t+e I+te B&+n3 (n so, lea.ng t+e re-nant o t+esea-ne souls stll gong +t+er an t+t+er an -oanng, as t+e a6 gre clearer, ) te so-e grassabout -6 eet an l-&e on across s-o!ng as+es an a-ong blac! ste-s, t+at stll &ulsate

nternall6 t+ re, toars t+e +ng&lace o t+e *-e ac+ne ) al!e slol6, or ) as al-oste3+auste, as ell as la-e, an ) elt t+e ntensest retc+eness or t+e +orrble eat+ o lttle Ieena)t see-e an o.er+el-ng cala-t6 Ao, n t+s ol a-lar roo-, t s -ore l!e t+e sorro o area- t+an an actual loss ut t+at -ornng t let -e absolutel6 lonel6 agan;<terrbl6 alone ) beganto t+n! o t+s +ouse o -ne, o t+s rese, o so-e o 6ou, an t+ suc+ t+oug+ts ca-e a longngt+at as &an

'ut as ) al!e o.er t+e s-o!ng as+es uner t+e brg+t -ornng s!6, ) -ae a sco.er6 )n -6trouser &oc!et ere stll so-e loose -atc+es *+e bo3 -ust +a.e lea!e beore t as lost

U

'(bout eg+t or nne n t+e -ornng ) ca-e to t+e sa-e seat o 6ello -etal ro- +c+ ) +a .ee

t+e orl u&on t+e e.enng o -6 arr.al ) t+oug+t o -6 +ast6 conclusons u&on t+at e.enng ancoul not reran ro- laug+ng btterl6 at -6 conence 5ere as t+e sa-e beautul scene, t+e sa-eabunant olage, t+e sa-e s&len &alaces an -agncent runs, t+e sa-e sl.er r.er runnng

[#0]



beteen ts ertle ban!s *+e ga6 robes o t+e beautul &eo&le -o.e +t+er an t+t+er a-ong t+etrees Bo-e ere bat+ng n e3actl6 t+e &lace +ere ) +a sa.e Ieena, an t+at suenl6 ga.e -e a!een stab o &an (n l!e blots u&on t+e lansca&e rose t+e cu&olas abo.e t+e a6s to t+e nerorl ) unerstoo no +at all t+e beaut6 o t+e O.erorl &eo&le co.ere Mer6 &leasant as t+era6, as &leasant as t+e a6 o t+e cattle n t+e el %!e t+e cattle, t+e6 !ne o no ene-es an&ro.e aganst no nees (n t+er en as t+e sa-e

') gre.e to t+n! +o bre t+e rea- o t+e +u-an ntellect +a been )t +a co--tte suce )t+a set tsel steaastl6 toars co-ort an ease, a balance socet6 t+ securt6 an &er-anenc6

as ts atc+or, t +a attane ts +o&es;<to co-e to t+s at last Once, le an &ro&ert6 -ust +a.ereac+e al-ost absolute saet6 *+e rc+ +a been assure o +s ealt+ an co-ort, t+e toler assureo +s le an or! Ao oubt n t+at &erect orl t+ere +a been no une-&lo6e &roble-, no socalHueston let unsol.e (n a great Huet +a olloe

')t s a la o nature e o.erloo!, t+at ntellectual .ersatlt6 s t+e co-&ensaton or c+ange, anger,an trouble (n an-al &erectl6 n +ar-on6 t+ ts en.ron-ent s a &erect -ec+ans- Aature ne.era&&eals to ntellgence untl +abt an nstnct are useless *+ere s no ntellgence +ere t+ere s noc+ange an no nee o c+ange Onl6 t+ose an-als &arta!e o ntellgence t+at +a.e to -eet a +uge.aret6 o nees an angers

'Bo, as ) see t, t+e &&erorl -an +a rte toars +s eeble &rettness, an t+e nerorl to-ere -ec+ancal nustr6 ut t+at &erect state +a lac!e one t+ng e.en or -ec+ancal

&erecton;<absolute &er-anenc6 (&&arentl6 as t-e ent on, t+e eeng o t+e nerorl,+oe.er t as eecte, +a beco-e sjonte ot+er Aecesst6, +o +a been sta.e o or a et+ousan 6ears, ca-e bac! agan, an s+e began belo *+e nerorl beng n contact t+-ac+ner6, +c+, +oe.er &erect, stll nees so-e lttle t+oug+t outse +abt, +a &robabl6 retane&erorce rat+er -ore ntat.e, less o e.er6 ot+er +u-an c+aracter, t+an t+e &&er (n +en ot+er-eat ale t+e-, t+e6 turne to +at ol +abt +a +t+erto orben Bo ) sa6 ) sa t n -6 last .eo t+e orl o Eg+t 5unre an *o *+ousan Be.en 5unre an One )t -a6 be as rong ane3&lanaton as -ortal t coul n.ent )t s +o t+e t+ng s+a&e tsel to -e, an as t+at ) g.e t to6ou

'(ter t+e atgues, e3cte-ents, an terrors o t+e &ast a6s, an n s&te o -6 gre, t+s seat an t+etranHul .e an t+e ar- sunlg+t ere .er6 &leasant ) as .er6 tre an slee&6, an soon -6t+eor=ng &asse nto o=ng Catc+ng -6sel at t+at, ) too! -6 on +nt, an s&reang -6sel outu&on t+e tur ) +a a long an reres+ng slee&

') ao!e a lttle beore sunsettng ) no elt sae aganst beng caug+t na&&ng b6 t+e orloc!s, an,stretc+ng -6sel, ) ca-e on on t+e +ll toars t+e I+te B&+n3 ) +a -6 crobar n one +an,an t+e ot+er +an &la6e t+ t+e -atc+es n -6 &oc!et

'(n no ca-e a -ost une3&ecte t+ng (s ) a&&roac+e t+e &eestal o t+e s&+n3 ) oun t+e bron=e.al.es ere o&en *+e6 +a sl on nto groo.es

'(t t+at ) sto&&e s+ort beore t+e-, +estatng to enter

'It+n as a s-all a&art-ent, an on a rase &lace n t+e corner o t+s as t+e *-e ac+ne ) +a

t+e s-all le.ers n -6 &oc!et Bo +ere, ater all -6 elaborate &re&aratons or t+e sege o t+e I+teB&+n3, as a -ee! surrener ) t+re -6 ron bar aa6, al-ost sorr6 not to use t

'( suen t+oug+t ca-e nto -6 +ea as ) stoo&e toars t+e &ortal @or once, at least, ) gras&e t+e-ental o&eratons o t+e orloc!s Bu&&ressng a strong nclnaton to laug+, ) ste&&e t+roug+ t+ebron=e ra-e an u& to t+e *-e ac+ne ) as sur&rse to n t +a been careull6 ole ancleane ) +a.e sus&ecte snce t+at t+e orloc!s +a e.en &artall6 ta!en t to &eces +le tr6ng nt+er - a6 to gras& ts &ur&ose

'Ao as ) stoo an e3a-ne t, nng a &leasure n t+e -ere touc+ o t+e contr.ance, t+e t+ng ) +ae3&ecte +a&&ene *+e bron=e &anels suenl6 sl u& an struc! t+e ra-e t+ a clang ) as n t+ear!;<tra&&e Bo t+e orloc!s t+oug+t (t t+at ) c+uc!le gleeull6

') coul alrea6 +ear t+er -ur-urng laug+ter as t+e6 ca-e toars -e Mer6 cal-l6 ) tre to str!et+e -atc+ ) +a onl6 to 3 on t+e le.ers an e&art t+en l!e a g+ost ut ) +a o.erloo!e one lttlet+ng *+e -atc+es ere o t+at abo-nable !n t+at lg+t onl6 on t+e bo3

[#1]



'>ou -a6 -agne +o all -6 cal- .ans+e *+e lttle brutes ere close u&on -e One touc+e -e )-ae a see&ng blo n t+e ar! at t+e- t+ t+e le.ers, an began to scra-ble nto t+e sale o t+e -ac+ne *+en ca-e one +an u&on -e an t+en anot+er *+en ) +a s-&l6 to g+t aganst t+er&ersstent ngers or -6 le.ers, an at t+e sa-e t-e eel or t+e stus o.er +c+ t+ese tte One,nee, t+e6 al-ost got aa6 ro- -e (s t sl&&e ro- -6 +an, ) +a to butt n t+e ar! t+ -6+ea;<) coul +ear t+e orloc!'s s!ull rng;<to reco.er t )t as a nearer t+ng t+an t+e g+t n t+eorest, ) t+n!, t+s last scra-ble

'ut at last t+e le.er as tte an &ulle o.er *+e clngng +ans sl&&e ro- -e *+e ar!ness&resentl6 ell ro- -6 e6es ) oun -6sel n t+e sa-e gre6 lg+t an tu-ult ) +a.e alrea6 escrbe

U)

') +a.e alrea6 tol 6ou o t+e sc!ness an conuson t+at co-es t+ t-e tra.ellng (n t+s t-e )as not seate &ro&erl6 n t+e sale, but sea6s an n an unstable as+on @or an nente t-e )clung to t+e -ac+ne as t sa6e an .brate, Hute un+eeng +o ) ent, an +en ) broug+t-6sel to loo! at t+e als agan ) as a-a=e to n +ere ) +a arr.e One al recors a6s, ananot+er t+ousans o a6s, anot+er -llons o a6s, an anot+er t+ousans o -llons Ao, nstea o re.ersng t+e le.ers, ) +a &ulle t+e- o.er so as to go orar t+ t+e-, an +en ) ca-e to loo! att+ese ncators ) oun t+at t+e t+ousans +an as see&ng roun as ast as t+e secons +an o aatc+;<nto uturt6

'(s ) ro.e on, a &ecular c+ange cre&t o.er t+e a&&earance o t+ngs *+e &al&tatng gre6ness grear!er t+en;<t+oug+ ) as stll tra.ellng t+ &rogous .eloct6;<t+e bln!ng successon o a6an ng+t, +c+ as usuall6 ncat.e o a sloer &ace, returne, an gre -ore an -ore -ar!e *+s &u==le -e .er6 -uc+ at rst *+e alternatons o ng+t an a6 gre sloer an sloer, an so t+e &assage o t+e sun across t+e s!6, untl t+e6 see-e to stretc+ t+roug+ centures (t last astea6 tlg+t brooe o.er t+e eart+, a tlg+t onl6 bro!en no an t+en +en a co-et glareacross t+e ar!lng s!6 *+e ban o lg+t t+at +a ncate t+e sun +a long snce sa&&eare or t+esun +a cease to set;<t s-&l6 rose an ell n t+e est, an gre e.er broaer an -ore re (lltrace o t+e -oon +a .ans+e *+e crclng o t+e stars, grong sloer an sloer, +a g.en &lace tocree&ng &onts o lg+t (t last, so-e t-e beore ) sto&&e, t+e sun, re an .er6 large, +alte-otonless u&on t+e +or=on, a .ast o-e glong t+ a ull +eat, an no an t+en suerng a-o-entar6 e3tncton (t one t-e t +a or a lttle +le gloe -ore brllantl6 agan, but t s&eel6re.erte to ts sullen re +eat ) &erce.e b6 t+s slong on o ts rsng an settng t+at t+e or! o t+e tal rag as one *+e eart+ +a co-e to rest t+ one ace to t+e sun, e.en as n our on t-et+e -oon aces t+e eart+ Mer6 cautousl6, or ) re-e-bere -6 or-er +ealong all, ) began tore.erse -6 -oton Bloer an sloer ent t+e crclng +ans untl t+e t+ousans one see-e-otonless an t+e al6 one as no longer a -ere -st u&on ts scale Btll sloer, untl t+e -outlnes o a esolate beac+ gre .sble

') sto&&e .er6 gentl6 an sat u&on t+e *-e ac+ne, loo!ng roun *+e s!6 as no longer blueAort+eastar t as n!6 blac!, an out o t+e blac!ness s+one brg+tl6 an steal6 t+e &ale +testars O.er+ea t as a ee& )nan re an starless, an sout+eastar t gre brg+ter to a glongscarlet +ere, cut b6 t+e +or=on, la6 t+e +uge +ull o t+e sun, re an -otonless *+e roc!s about -eere o a +ars+ res+ colour, an all t+e trace o le t+at ) coul see at rst as t+e ntensel6 green

.egetaton t+at co.ere e.er6 &rojectng &ont on t+er sout+eastern ace )t as t+e sa-e rc+ greent+at one sees on orest -oss or on t+e lc+en n ca.es: &lants +c+ l!e t+ese gro n a &er&etualtlg+t

'*+e -ac+ne as stanng on a slo&ng beac+ *+e sea stretc+e aa6 to t+e sout+est, to rse nto as+ar& brg+t +or=on aganst t+e an s!6 *+ere ere no brea!ers an no a.es, or not a breat+ o n as strrng Onl6 a slg+t ol6 sell rose an ell l!e a gentle breat+ng, an s+oe t+at t+eeternal sea as stll -o.ng an l.ng (n along t+e -argn +ere t+e ater so-et-es bro!e as at+c! ncrustaton o salt;<&n! uner t+e lur s!6 *+ere as a sense o o&&resson n -6 +ea, an )notce t+at ) as breat+ng .er6 ast *+e sensaton re-ne -e o -6 onl6 e3&erence o -ountaneerng, an ro- t+at ) juge t+e ar to be -ore raree t+an t s no

'@ar aa6 u& t+e esolate slo&e ) +ear a +ars+ screa-, an sa a t+ng l!e a +uge +te butter76 go

slantng an 7utterng u& nto t+e s!6 an, crclng, sa&&ear o.er so-e lo +lloc!s be6on *+esoun o ts .oce as so s-al t+at ) s+.ere an seate -6sel -ore r-l6 u&on t+e -ac+ne%oo!ng roun -e agan, ) sa t+at, Hute near, +at ) +a ta!en to be a res+ -ass o roc! as

[#2]



-o.ng slol6 toars -e *+en ) sa t+e t+ng as reall6 a -onstrous crabl!e creature Can 6ou-agne a crab as large as 6oner table, t+ ts -an6 legs -o.ng slol6 an uncertanl6, ts bg classa6ng, ts long antennae, l!e carters' +&s, a.ng an eelng, an ts stal!e e6es glea-ng at 6ouon et+er se o ts -etallc ront? )ts bac! as corrugate an orna-ente t+ unganl6 bosses, ana greens+ ncrustaton blotc+e t +ere an t+ere ) coul see t+e -an6 &al&s o ts co-&lcate -out+7c!erng an eelng as t -o.e

'(s ) stare at t+s snster a&&arton cralng toars -e, ) elt a tc!lng on -6 c+ee! as t+oug+ a 76+a lg+te t+ere ) tre to brus+ t aa6 t+ -6 +an, but n a -o-ent t returne, an al-ost

--eatel6 ca-e anot+er b6 -6 ear ) struc! at t+s, an caug+t so-et+ng t+real!e )t as ranstl6 out o -6 +an It+ a rg+tul Hual-, ) turne, an ) sa t+at ) +a gras&e t+e antenna o anot+er -onster crab t+at stoo just be+n -e )ts e.l e6es ere rgglng on t+er stal!s, ts -out+as all al.e t+ a&&ette, an ts .ast unganl6 clas, s-eare t+ an algal sl-e, ere escenngu&on -e )n a -o-ent -6 +an as on t+e le.er, an ) +a &lace a -ont+ beteen -6sel an t+ese-onsters ut ) as stll on t+e sa-e beac+, an ) sa t+e- stnctl6 no as soon as ) sto&&eDo=ens o t+e- see-e to be cralng +ere an t+ere, n t+e so-bre lg+t, a-ong t+e olate s+eetso ntense green

') cannot con.e6 t+e sense o abo-nable esolaton t+at +ung o.er t+e orl *+e re eastern s!6, t+enort+ar blac!ness, t+e salt Dea Bea, t+e ston6 beac+ cralng t+ t+ese oul, slostrrng-onsters, t+e unor- &osonousloo!ng green o t+e lc+enous &lants, t+e t+n ar t+at +urts one'slungs: all contrbute to an a&&allng eect ) -o.e on a +unre 6ears, an t+ere as t+e sa-e re

sun;<a lttle larger, a lttle uller;<t+e sa-e 6ng sea, t+e sa-e c+ll ar, an t+e sa-e cro o eart+6 crustacea cree&ng n an out a-ong t+e green ee an t+e re roc!s (n n t+e estars!6, ) sa a cur.e &ale lne l!e a .ast ne -oon

'Bo ) tra.elle, sto&&ng e.er an agan, n great stres o a t+ousan 6ears or -ore, ran on b6 t+e-6ster6 o t+e eart+'s ate, atc+ng t+ a strange ascnaton t+e sun gro larger an uller n t+eestar s!6, an t+e le o t+e ol eart+ ebb aa6 (t last, -ore t+an t+rt6 -llon 6ears +ence, t+e+uge re+ot o-e o t+e sun +a co-e to obscure nearl6 a tent+ &art o t+e ar!lng +ea.ens *+en )sto&&e once -ore, or t+e cralng -ulttue o crabs +a sa&&eare, an t+e re beac+, sa.e or tsl. green l.erorts an lc+ens, see-e leless (n no t as 7ec!e t+ +te ( btter colassale -e Rare +te 7a!es e.er an agan ca-e e6ng on *o t+e nort+eastar, t+e glare o sno la6 uner t+e starlg+t o t+e sable s!6 an ) coul see an unulatng crest o +lloc!s &n!s++te *+ere ere rnges o ce along t+e sea -argn, t+ rtng -asses urt+er out but t+e -ane3&anse o t+at salt ocean, all bloo6 uner t+e eternal sunset, as stll unro=en

') loo!e about -e to see an6 traces o an-al le re-ane ( certan nenable a&&re+enson stll!e&t -e n t+e sale o t+e -ac+ne ut ) sa not+ng -o.ng, n eart+ or s!6 or sea *+e green sl-eon t+e roc!s alone teste t+at le as not e3tnct ( s+allo sanban! +a a&&eare n t+e sea ant+e ater +a recee ro- t+e beac+ ) ance ) sa so-e blac! object 7o&&ng about u&on t+s ban!,but t beca-e -otonless as ) loo!e at t, an ) juge t+at -6 e6e +a been ece.e, an t+at t+eblac! object as -erel6 a roc! *+e stars n t+e s!6 ere ntensel6 brg+t an see-e to -e to tn!le.er6 lttle

'Buenl6 ) notce t+at t+e crcular estar outlne o t+e sun +a c+ange t+at a conca.t6, a ba6,+a a&&eare n t+e cur.e ) sa t+s gro larger @or a -nute &er+a&s ) stare ag+ast at t+s

blac!ness t+at as cree&ng o.er t+e a6, an t+en ) real=e t+at an ecl&se as begnnng Et+er t+e-oon or t+e &lanet ercur6 as &assng across t+e sun's s! Aaturall6, at rst ) too! t to be t+e-oon, but t+ere s -uc+ to nclne -e to bele.e t+at +at ) reall6 sa as t+e transt o an nner&lanet &assng .er6 near to t+e eart+

'*+e ar!ness gre a&ace a col n began to blo n res+enng gusts ro- t+e east, an t+es+oerng +te 7a!es n t+e ar ncrease n nu-ber @ro- t+e ege o t+e sea ca-e a r&&le an+s&er e6on t+ese leless souns t+e orl as slent Blent? )t oul be +ar to con.e6 t+estllness o t (ll t+e souns o -an, t+e bleatng o s+ee&, t+e cres o brs, t+e +u- o nsects, t+e strt+at -a!es t+e bac!groun o our l.es;<all t+at as o.er (s t+e ar!ness t+c!ene, t+e e6ng7a!es gre -ore abunant, ancng beore -6 e6es an t+e col o t+e ar -ore ntense (t last, oneb6 one, stl6, one ater t+e ot+er, t+e +te &ea!s o t+e stant +lls .ans+e nto blac!ness *+ebree=e rose to a -oanng n ) sa t+e blac! central s+ao o t+e ecl&se see&ng toars -e )n

anot+er -o-ent t+e &ale stars alone ere .sble (ll else as ra6less obscurt6 *+e s!6 asabsolutel6 blac!

[##]



'( +orror o t+s great ar!ness ca-e on -e *+e col, t+at s-ote to -6 -arro, an t+e &an ) elt nbreat+ng, o.erca-e -e ) s+.ere, an a eal6 nausea se=e -e *+en l!e a re+ot bo n t+e s!6a&&eare t+e ege o t+e sun ) got o t+e -ac+ne to reco.er -6sel ) elt g6 an nca&able o acng t+e return journe6 (s ) stoo sc! an conuse ) sa agan t+e -o.ng t+ng u&on t+es+oal;<t+ere as no -sta!e no t+at t as a -o.ng t+ng;<aganst t+e re ater o t+e sea )tas a roun t+ng, t+e s=e o a ootball &er+a&s, or, t -a6 be, bgger, an tentacles trale on ro-t t see-e blac! aganst t+e elterng bloore ater, an t as +o&&ng tull6 about *+en ) elt )as antng ut a terrble rea o l6ng +el&less n t+at re-ote an aul tlg+t sustane -e +le )cla-bere u&on t+e sale

U))

'Bo ) ca-e bac! @or a long t-e ) -ust +a.e been nsensble u&on t+e -ac+ne *+e bln!ngsuccesson o t+e a6s an ng+ts as resu-e, t+e sun got golen agan, t+e s!6 blue ) breat+e t+greater reeo- *+e 7uctuatng contours o t+e lan ebbe an 7oe *+e +ans s&un bac!aru&on t+e als (t last ) sa agan t+e - s+aos o +ouses, t+e e.ences o ecaent +u-ant6 *+ese, too, c+ange an &asse, an ot+ers ca-e Presentl6, +en t+e -llon al as at =ero, )slac!ene s&ee ) began to recogn=e our on &rett6 an a-lar arc+tecture, t+e t+ousans +an ranbac! to t+e startng&ont, t+e ng+t an a6 7a&&e sloer an sloer *+en t+e ol alls o t+elaborator6 ca-e roun -e Mer6 gentl6, no, ) sloe t+e -ec+ans- on

') sa one lttle t+ng t+at see-e o to -e ) t+n! ) +a.e tol 6ou t+at +en ) set out, beore -6

.eloct6 beca-e .er6 +g+, rs Iatc+ett +a al!e across t+e roo-, tra.ellng, as t see-e to -e,l!e a roc!et (s ) returne, ) &asse agan across t+at -nute +en s+e tra.erse t+e laborator6 utno +er e.er6 -oton a&&eare to be t+e e3act n.erson o +er &re.ous ones *+e oor at t+e loeren o&ene, an s+e gle Huetl6 u& t+e laborator6, bac! ore-ost, an sa&&eare be+n t+e oorb6 +c+ s+e +a &re.ousl6 entere Just beore t+at ) see-e to see 5ll6er or a -o-ent but +e&asse l!e a 7as+

'*+en ) sto&&e t+e -ac+ne, an sa about -e agan t+e ol a-lar laborator6, -6 tools, -6a&&lances just as ) +a let t+e- ) got o t+e t+ng .er6 s+a!l6, an sat on u&on -6 benc+ @orse.eral -nutes ) tre-ble .olentl6 *+en ) beca-e cal-er (roun -e as -6 ol or!s+o& agan,e3actl6 as t +a been ) -g+t +a.e sle&t t+ere, an t+e +ole t+ng +a.e been a rea-

'(n 6et, not e3actl6L *+e t+ng +a starte ro- t+e sout+east corner o t+e laborator6 )t +a co-e torest agan n t+e nort+est, aganst t+e all +ere 6ou sa t *+at g.es 6ou t+e e3act stance ro--6 lttle lan to t+e &eestal o t+e I+te B&+n3, nto +c+ t+e orloc!s +a carre -6 -ac+ne

'@or a t-e -6 bran ent stagnant Presentl6 ) got u& an ca-e t+roug+ t+e &assage +ere, l-&ng,because -6 +eel as stll &anul, an eelng sorel6 begr-e ) sa t+e Pall all Ga=ette on t+e tableb6 t+e oor ) oun t+e ate as nee toa6, an loo!ng at t+e t-e&ece, sa t+e +our as al-osteg+t o'cloc! ) +ear 6our .oces an t+e clatter o &lates ) +estate;<) elt so sc! an ea! *+en )sne goo +oleso-e -eat, an o&ene t+e oor on 6ou >ou !no t+e rest ) as+e, an ne,an no ) a- tellng 6ou t+e stor6

') !no,' +e sa, ater a &ause, 't+at all t+s ll be absolutel6 ncreble to 6ou *o -e t+e onencreble t+ng s t+at ) a- +ere tong+t n t+s ol a-lar roo- loo!ng nto 6our renl6 aces an

tellng 6ou t+ese strange a.entures'

5e loo!e at t+e ecal an 'Ao ) cannot e3&ect 6ou to bele.e t *a!e t as a le;<or a &ro&+ec6Ba6 ) rea-e t n t+e or!s+o& Conser ) +a.e been s&eculatng u&on t+e estnes o our race untl) +a.e +atc+e t+s cton *reat -6 asserton o ts trut+ as a -ere stro!e o art to en+ance ts nterest(n ta!ng t as a stor6, +at o 6ou t+n! o t?'

5e too! u& +s &&e, an began, n +s ol accusto-e -anner, to ta& t+ t ner.ousl6 u&on t+e bars o t+e grate *+ere as a -o-entar6 stllness *+en c+ars began to crea! an s+oes to scra&e u&on t+ecar&et ) too! -6 e6es o t+e *-e *ra.eller's ace, an loo!e roun at +s auence *+e6 ere n t+ear!, an lttle s&ots o colour sa- beore t+e- *+e ecal an see-e absorbe n t+econte-&laton o our +ost *+e Etor as loo!ng +ar at t+e en o +s cgar;<t+e s3t+ *+e Journalst u-ble or +s atc+ *+e ot+ers, as ar as ) re-e-ber, ere -otonless

*+e Etor stoo u& t+ a sg+ 'I+at a &t6 t s 6ou're not a rter o storesL' +e sa, &uttng +s +anon t+e *-e *ra.eller's s+ouler

[#4]



'>ou on't bele.e t?'

'Iell;<;<'

') t+oug+t not'

*+e *-e *ra.eller turne to us 'I+ere are t+e -atc+es?' +e sa 5e lt one an s&o!e o.er +s &&e, &uKng '*o tell 6ou t+e trut+

;F ) +arl6 bele.e t -6sel;F (n 6et;F'

5s e6e ell t+ a -ute nHur6 u&on t+e t+ere +te 7oers u&on t+e lttle table *+en +e turneo.er t+e +an +olng +s &&e, an ) sa +e as loo!ng at so-e +al+eale scars on +s !nuc!les

*+e ecal an rose, ca-e to t+e la-&, an e3a-ne t+e 7oers '*+e g6naeceu-'s o,' +e sa *+e Ps6c+ologst leant orar to see, +olng out +s +an or a s&ec-en

')'- +ange t sn't a Huarter to one,' sa t+e Journalst '5o s+all e get +o-e?'

'Plent6 o cabs at t+e staton,' sa t+e Ps6c+ologst

')t's a curous t+ng,' sa t+e ecal an 'but ) certanl6 on't !no t+e natural orer o t+ese 7oersa6 ) +a.e t+e-?'

*+e *-e *ra.eller +estate *+en suenl6: 'Certanl6 not'

'I+ere 6ou reall6 get t+e-?' sa t+e ecal an

*+e *-e *ra.eller &ut +s +an to +s +ea 5e s&o!e l!e one +o as tr6ng to !ee& +ol o an eat+at elue +- '*+e6 ere &ut nto -6 &oc!et b6 Ieena, +en ) tra.elle nto *-e' 5e stare rount+e roo- ')'- a-ne t sn't all gong *+s roo- an 6ou an t+e at-os&+ere o e.er6 a6 s too

-uc+ or -6 -e-or6 D ) e.er -a!e a *-e ac+ne, or a -oel o a *-e ac+ne? Or s t all onl6 area-? *+e6 sa6 le s a rea-, a &recous &oor rea- at t-es;<but ) can't stan anot+er t+at on'tt )t's -aness (n +ere t+e rea- co-e ro-? ;F ) -ust loo! at t+at -ac+ne ) t+ere s oneL'

5e caug+t u& t+e la-& stl6, an carre t, 7arng re, t+roug+ t+e oor nto t+e corror Ie olloe+- *+ere n t+e 7c!erng lg+t o t+e la-& as t+e -ac+ne sure enoug+, sHuat, ugl6, an as!e at+ng o brass, ebon6, .or6, an translucent gl--erng Huart= Bol to t+e touc+;<or ) &ut out -6+an an elt t+e ral o t;<an t+ bron s&ots an s-ears u&on t+e .or6, an bts o grass an-oss u&on t+e loer &arts, an one ral bent ar6

*+e *-e *ra.eller &ut t+e la-& on on t+e benc+, an ran +s +an along t+e a-age ral ')t's allrg+t no,' +e sa '*+e stor6 ) tol 6ou as true )'- sorr6 to +a.e broug+t 6ou out +ere n t+e col'5e too! u& t+e la-&, an, n an absolute slence, e returne to t+e s-o!ngroo-

5e ca-e nto t+e +all t+ us an +el&e t+e Etor on t+ +s coat *+e ecal an loo!e nto +sace an, t+ a certan +estaton, tol +- +e as suerng ro- o.eror!, at +c+ +e laug+e+ugel6 ) re-e-ber +- stanng n t+e o&en oora6, balng goo ng+t

) s+are a cab t+ t+e Etor 5e t+oug+t t+e tale a 'gau6 le' @or -6 on &art ) as unable to co-eto a concluson *+e stor6 as so antastc an ncreble, t+e tellng so creble an sober ) la6 aa!e-ost o t+e ng+t t+n!ng about t ) eter-ne to go ne3t a6 an see t+e *-e *ra.eller agan ) astol +e as n t+e laborator6, an beng on eas6 ter-s n t+e +ouse, ) ent u& to +- *+e laborator6,+oe.er, as e-&t6 ) stare or a -nute at t+e *-e ac+ne an &ut out -6 +an an touc+e t+ele.er (t t+at t+e sHuat substantalloo!ng -ass sa6e l!e a boug+ s+a!en b6 t+e n )ts nstablt6startle -e e3tre-el6, an ) +a a Hueer re-nscence o t+e c+ls+ a6s +en ) use to be orbento -ele ) ca-e bac! t+roug+ t+e corror *+e *-e *ra.eller -et -e n t+e s-o!ngroo- 5e as

co-ng ro- t+e +ouse 5e +a a s-all ca-era uner one ar- an a !na&sac! uner t+e ot+er 5elaug+e +en +e sa -e, an ga.e -e an elbo to s+a!e ')'- rg+tull6 bus6,' sa +e, 't+ t+att+ng n t+ere'

[#$]



'ut s t not so-e +oa3?' ) sa 'Do 6ou reall6 tra.el t+roug+ t-e?'

'Reall6 an trul6 ) o' (n +e loo!e ran!l6 nto -6 e6es 5e +estate 5s e6e anere about t+eroo- ') onl6 ant +al an +our,' +e sa ') !no +6 6ou ca-e, an t's aull6 goo o 6ou *+ere'sso-e -aga=nes +ere ) 6ou'll sto& to lunc+ )'ll &ro.e 6ou t+s t-e tra.ellng u& to t+e +lt, s&ec-enan all ) 6ou'll org.e -6 lea.ng 6ou no?'

) consente, +arl6 co-&re+enng t+en t+e ull -&ort o +s ors, an +e noe an ent on on

t+e corror ) +ear t+e oor o t+e laborator6 sla-, seate -6sel n a c+ar, an too! u& a al6 &a&erI+at as +e gong to o beore lunc+t-e? *+en suenl6 ) as re-ne b6 an a.ertse-ent t+at )+a &ro-se to -eet Rc+arson, t+e &ubls+er, at to ) loo!e at -6 atc+, an sa t+at ) coulbarel6 sa.e t+at engage-ent ) got u& an ent on t+e &assage to tell t+e *-e *ra.eller

(s ) too! +ol o t+e +anle o t+e oor ) +ear an e3cla-aton, ol6 truncate at t+e en, an a clc!an a t+u ( gust o ar +rle roun -e as ) o&ene t+e oor, an ro- t+n ca-e t+e soun o bro!en glass allng on t+e 7oor *+e *-e *ra.eller as not t+ere ) see-e to see a g+ostl6, nstnctgure sttng n a +rlng -ass o blac! an brass or a -o-ent;<a gure so trans&arent t+at t+ebenc+ be+n t+ ts s+eets o rangs as absolutel6 stnct but t+s &+antas- .ans+e as )rubbe -6 e6es *+e *-e ac+ne +a gone Ba.e or a subsng str o ust, t+e urt+er en o t+elaborator6 as e-&t6 ( &ane o t+e s!6lg+t +a, a&&arentl6, just been blon n

) elt an unreasonable a-a=e-ent ) !ne t+at so-et+ng strange +a +a&&ene, an or t+e -o-entcoul not stngus+ +at t+e strange t+ng -g+t be (s ) stoo starng, t+e oor nto t+e gareno&ene, an t+e -anser.ant a&&eare

Ie loo!e at eac+ ot+er *+en eas began to co-e '5as r ;<;< gone out t+at a6?' sa )

'Ao, sr Ao one +as co-e out t+s a6 ) as e3&ectng to n +- +ere'

(t t+at ) unerstoo (t t+e rs! o sa&&ontng Rc+arson ) sta6e on, atng or t+e *-e *ra.elleratng or t+e secon, &er+a&s stll stranger stor6, an t+e s&ec-ens an &+otogra&+s +e oul brngt+ +- ut ) a- begnnng no to ear t+at ) -ust at a let-e *+e *-e *ra.eller .ans+e t+ree6ears ago (n, as e.er6bo6 !nos no, +e +as ne.er returne

EP)%OGE

One cannot c+oose but oner Ill +e e.er return? )t -a6 be t+at +e se&t bac! nto t+e &ast, an ella-ong t+e bloorn!ng, +ar6 sa.ages o t+e (ge o n&ols+e Btone nto t+e ab6sses o t+eCretaceous Bea or a-ong t+e grotesHue saurans, t+e +uge re&tlan brutes o t+e Jurassc t-es 5e-a6 e.en no;< ) -a6 use t+e &+rase;<be anerng on so-e &lesosaurus+aunte Ooltc coralree, or bese t+e lonel6 salne la!es o t+e *rassc (ge Or +e go orar, nto one o t+e nearerages, n +c+ -en are stll -en, but t+ t+e rles o our on t-e ansere an ts earso-e&roble-s sol.e? )nto t+e -an+oo o t+e race: or ), or -6 on &art, cannot t+n! t+at t+ese lattera6s o ea! e3&er-ent, rag-entar6 t+eor6, an -utual scor are nee -an's cul-natng t-eL )sa6, or -6 on &art 5e, ) !no;<or t+e Hueston +a been scusse a-ong us long beore t+e *-eac+ne as -ae;<t+oug+t but c+eerlessl6 o t+e (.ance-ent o an!n, an sa n t+e grong

&le o c.l=aton onl6 a ools+ +ea&ng t+at -ust ne.tabl6 all bac! u&on an estro6 ts -a!ers nt+e en ) t+at s so, t re-ans or us to l.e as t+oug+ t ere not so ut to -e t+e uture s stll blac!an blan!;<s a .ast gnorance, lt at a e casual &laces b6 t+e -e-or6 o +s stor6 (n ) +a.e b6-e, or -6 co-ort, to strange +te 7oers;<s+r.elle no, an bron an 7at an brttle;<totness t+at e.en +en -n an strengt+ +a gone, grattue an a -utual tenerness stll l.e on nt+e +eart o -an

[#Q]



The Time Machine

First edition cover

Author(s) 5 G IellsCover artist Ben Hardy

Country nte Tngo-

Language Engls+

Genre(s) Bcence cton no.el

Publisher Illa- 5ene-ann

Publication date 1895

The Time Machine is a scence cton no.ella by 5 G Iells, published in 1895 and later adapted into two eaturel-s of the same name, as well as two tele.son versions, and a large number of co-c boo! adaptations. t indirectly

inspired many more wor!s of cton in many media. "his #$,%%% word story is generally credited with the popularisation of the

concept of t-e tra.el using a vehicle that allows an operator to travel purposefully and selectively. "he term &time machine&,

coined by 'ells, is now universally used to refer to such a vehicle. "his wor! is an early e(ample of the D6ng Eart+subgenre.

History

'ells had considered the notion of t-e tra.el before, in an earlier wor! titled The Chronic Argonauts. He had thought of

using some of this material in a series of articles in the Pall Mall Gazette, until the publisher as!ed him if he could instead

write a seral no.el on the same theme) 'ells readily agreed, and was paid V1%% *e+ual to about 9,%%% today- on its

publication by 5ene-ann in 1895. "he story was first published in serial form in the anuary to /ay numbers of Illa-Ernest 5enle60s new venture New Review.[1] "he first boo! edition *possibly prepared from a different manuscript- [2] was

published in ew 2or! by 5enr6 5olt an Co-&an6 on 3 /ay 1895) an 4nglish edition was published by Heinemann on $9

/ay.[1] "hese two editions are different te(tually, and are commonly referred to as the &Holt te(t& and &Heinemann te(t&

respectively. early all modern reprints reproduce the Heinemann te(t."he story reflects 'ells0s own socalst political views, his view on life and abundance, and the contemporary angst about

nustral relatons. t is also influenced by Ra6 %an!ester's theories about social degeneration.[#] ther science fiction

wor!s of the period, including Ear ella-60s Looking Backward and the later Metropolis, dealt with similar themes.Plot summary

[#]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction_novel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinemann_(book_publisher)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novella




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_film


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiction



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying_Earth_(subgenre)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronic_Argonauts


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pall_Mall_Gazette


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_novel


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Ernest_Henley



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Time_Machine#cite_note-jrhamm04-0


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Time_Machine#cite_note-1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Holt_and_Company





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_relations


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Lankester


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bellamy


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looking_Backward



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction_novel

















http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling










http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Lankester




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(film)




"he boo!0s &rotagonst is an 4nglish scentst and gentleman n.entor living in Rc+-on, 6urrey, identified by a

narrator simply as the "ime "raveller. "he narrator recounts the "raveller0s lecture to his wee!ly dinner guests that time is simply afourth -enson, and his demonstration of a tabletop model machine for travelling through it. He reveals that he has built a

machine capable of carrying a person, and returns at dinner the following wee! to recount a remar!able tale, becoming the newnarrator.n the new narrative, the "ime "raveller tests his device with a 7ourney that ta!es him to 8%$,3%1 (D, where he meets the Elo, asociety of small, elegant, childli!e adults. "hey live in small communities within large and futuristic yet slowly deteriorating buildings, doing no wor! and having a rug.orous diet. His efforts to communicate with them are hampered by their lac! of

curiosity or discipline, and he speculates that they are a peaceful co--unst society, the result of humanity con+uering nature

with technology, and subse+uently evolving to adapt to an environment in which strength and intellect are no longer advantageousto survival.eturning to the site where he arrived, the "ime "raveller finds his time machine missing, and eventually wor!s out that it has been dragged by some un!nown party into a nearby structure with heavy doors, loc!ed from the inside, which resembles a 6phin(.ater in the dar!, he is approached menacingly by the orloc!s, a&e:li!e troglo6tes who live in dar!ness underground and

surface only at night. 'ithin their dwellings he discovers the machinery and industry that ma!es the above:ground paradise

possible. He alters his theory, speculating that the human race has evolved into two species; the leisured classes have become theineffectual 4loi, and the downtrodden or!ng classes have become the brutish light:fearing /orloc!s. <educing that the

/orloc!s have ta!en his time machine, he e(plores the /orloc! tunnels, learning that they feed on the 4loi. His revised analysis

is that their relationship is not one of lords and servants but of livestoc! and ranchers, and with no real challenges facing either species. "hey have both lost the intelligence and character of /an at its pea!./eanwhile, he saves an 4loi named 'eena from drowning as none of the other 4loi ta!e any notice of her, and they develop aninnocently affectionate relationship over the course of several days. He ta!es 'eena with him on an e(pedition to a distant

structure that turns out to be the remains of a museum, where he finds a fresh supply of matches and fashions a crude weaponagainst /orloc!s, whom he fears he must fight to get bac! his machine. He plans to ta!e 'eena bac! to his own time. Because the

long and tiring 7ourney bac! to 'eena0s home is too much for them, they stop in the forest, and they are then overcome by/orloc!s in the night, and 'eena faints. "he "raveller escapes only when a small fire he had left behind them to distract the/orloc!s catches up to them as a forest fire) 'eena is presumably lost in the fire, as are the /orloc!s."he /orloc!s use the time machine as bait to ensnare the "raveller, not understanding that he will use it to escape. He travelsfurther ahead to roughly #% million years from his own time. "here he sees some of the last living things on a dying 4arth,menacing reddish crab:li!e creatures slowly wandering the blood:red beaches chasing butterflies in a world covered in simple

vegetation. He continues to ma!e short 7umps through time, seeing 4arth0s rotation gradually cease and the sun grow dimmer, andthe world falling silent and free=ing as the last degenerate living things die out.verwhelmed, he returns to his laboratory, arriving 7ust three hours after he originally left. nterrupting dinner, he relates hisadventures to his disbelieving visitors, producing as evidence two strange flowers 'eena had put in his poc!et. "he originalnarrator ta!es over and relates that he returned to the "ime "raveller0s house the ne(t day, finding him in final preparations for

another 7ourney. "he "raveller promises to return in half an hour, but three years later, the narrator despairs of ever learning what became of him.Deleted text

> section from the 11th chapter of the serial published in New Review */ay, 1895- was deleted from the boo!. t was drafted atthe suggestion of 'ells0s editor, Illa- Ernest 5enle6, who wanted 'ells to &oblige your editor& by lengthening the te(t

with, among other things, an illustration of &the ultimate degeneracy& of man. &"here was a slight struggle,& 'ells later recalled,&between the writer and '. 4. Henley who wanted, he said, to put a little 0writing0 into the tale. But the writer was in reaction fromthat sort of thing, the Henley interpolations were cut out again, and he had his own way with his te(t.& [4] "his portion of the story

was published elsewhere as & *+e Gre6 an&. "he deleted te(t was also published by @orrest J (c!er-an in an issue of the

>merican edition of Perry Rhodan.

"he deleted te(t recounts an incident immediately after the "raveller0s escape from the /orloc!s. He finds himself in the distantfuture of an unrecognisable 4arth, populated with furry, hopping herbivores. He stuns or !ills one with a roc!, and upon closer e(amination realises they are probably the descendants of humans?4loi?/orloc!s. > gigantic, centipede:li!e art+ro&o

approaches and the "raveller flees into the ne(t day, finding that the creature has apparently eaten the tiny humanoid."he Easton Press edition of the novel restores this deleted segment.

'ells also re7ected sections from his own drafts in which he has the "ime "raveller visit the @uritan era, where he is attac!ed by a@uritan preacher and then by Aromwell0s ronsides. He also has the narrator speculate that the ultimate origin of the 4loi?/orloc! split was rooted in the ancient division of the 4nglish people into @uritans and Aavaliers. *see; Nation & novel: the English novel

from its origins to the present day, by @atric! @arrinder, page $9#-citation neededC

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protagonist



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientist



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventor


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Surrey

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimension


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Domini

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eloi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugivore

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morlock


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveman



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_class





http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Grey_Man

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_J_Ackerman


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Rhodan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropod

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easton_Press


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Surrey


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Domini

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eloi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frugivore



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape





http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Grey_Man


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Rhodan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropod


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed

The Time Mahine

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Transcript of The Time Mahine