Машина времени

           HewalkedwithjustsuchalimpasIhaveseeninfootsoretramps. Westaredathiminsilence,expectinghimtospeak. 

           Hesaidnotaword,butcamepainfullytothetable,andmadeamotiontowardsthewine. TheEditorfilledaglassofchampagne,andpushedittowardshim. Hedrainedit,anditseemedtodohimgood: forhelookedroundthetable,andtheghostofhisoldsmileflickeredacrosshisface. ‘Whatonearthhaveyoubeenupto,man?’saidtheDoctor. TheTimeTravellerdidnotseemtohear. ‘Don’tletmedisturbyou,’hesaid,withacertainfalteringarticulation. ‘I’mallright.’ Hestopped,heldouthisglassformore,andtookitoffatadraught. ‘That’sgood,’hesaid. Hiseyesgrewbrighter,andafaintcolourcameintohischeeks. Hisglanceflickeredoverourfaceswithacertaindullapproval,andthenwentroundthewarmandcomfortableroom. Thenhespokeagain,stillasitwerefeelinghiswayamonghiswords. ‘I’mgoingtowashanddress,andthenI’llcomedownandexplainthings...Savemesomeofthatmutton. I’mstarvingforabitofmeat.’ 

           HelookedacrossattheEditor,whowasararevisitor,andhopedhewasallright. TheEditorbeganaquestion. ‘Tellyoupresently,’saidtheTimeTraveller. ‘I’m—funny! Beallrightinaminute.’ 

           Heputdownhisglass,andwalkedtowardsthestaircasedoor. AgainIremarkedhislamenessandthesoftpaddingsoundofhisfootfall,andstandingupinmyplace,Isawhisfeetashewentout. Hehadnothingonthembutapairoftatteredblood-stainedsocks. Thenthedoorcloseduponhim. Ihadhalfamindtofollow,tillIrememberedhowhedetestedanyfussabouthimself. Foraminute,perhaps,mymindwaswool-gathering. Then,‘RemarkableBehaviourofanEminentScientist,’IheardtheEditorsay,thinking(afterhiswont)inheadlines. Andthisbroughtmyattentionbacktothebrightdinner-table.