me disturb you,' he said, with a certain faltering articulation.

I'm all right.' He stopped, held out his glass for more, and took

it off at a draught. 'That's good,' he said. His eyes grew brighter,

and a faint colour came into his cheeks. His glance flickered over

our faces with a certain dull approval, and then went round the warm

and comfortable room. Then he spoke again, still as it were feeling

his way among his words. 'I'm going to wash and dress, and then I'll

come down and explain things ... Save me some of that mutton. I'm

starving for a bit of meat.'

He looked across at the Editor, who was a rare visitor, and hoped he

was all right. The Editor began a question. 'Tell you presently,'

said the Time Traveller. 'I'm--funny! Be all right in a minute.'

He put down his glass, and walked towards the staircase door. Again

I remarked his lameness and the soft padding sound of his footfall,

and standing up in my place, I saw his feet as he went out. He had

nothing on them but a pair of tattered, blood-stained socks. Then the

door closed upon him. I had half a mind to follow, till I remembered

how he detested any fuss about himself. For a minute, perhaps, my

mind was wool-gathering. Then, 'Remarkable Behaviour of an Eminent

Scientist,' I heard the Editor say, thinking (after his wont) in

headlines. And this brought my attention back to the bright

dinner-table.

'What's the game?' said the Journalist. 'Has he been doing the

The Time Machine