Машина времени

           ‘ThenIheardvoicesapproachingme. ComingthroughthebushesbytheWhiteSphinxweretheheadsandshouldersofmenrunning. OneoftheseemergedinapathwayleadingstraighttothelittlelawnuponwhichIstoodwithmymachine. Hewasaslightcreature—perhapsfourfeethigh—cladinapurpletunic,girdledatthewaistwithaleatherbelt. Sandalsorbuskins—Icouldnotclearlydistinguishwhich—wereonhisfeet; hislegswerebaretotheknees,andhisheadwasbare. Noticingthat,Inoticedforthefirsttimehowwarmtheairwas. 

           ‘Hestruckmeasbeingaverybeautifulandgracefulcreature,butindescribablyfrail. Hisflushedfaceremindedmeofthemorebeautifulkindofconsumptive—thathecticbeautyofwhichweusedtohearsomuch. AtthesightofhimIsuddenlyregainedconfidence.Itookmyhandsfromthemachine.