Explanation

“So far as I could see, all the world displayed the same exuberant richness as the Thames valley. From every hill I climbed I saw the same abundance of splendid buildings, endlessly varied in material and style, the same clustering thickets of evergreens, the same blossom-laden trees and tree ferns. Here and there water shone like silver, and beyond, the land rose into blue undulating hills, and so faded into the serenity of the sky. A peculiar feature, which presently attracted my attention, was the presence of certain circular wells, several, as it seemed to me, of a very great depth. One lay by the path up the hill which I had followed during my first walk. Like the others, it was rimmed with bronze, curiously wrought, and protected by a little cupola from the rain. Sitting by the side of these wells, and peering down into the shafted darkness, I could see no gleam of water, nor could I start any reflection with a lighted match. But in all of them I heard a certain sound: a thud—thud—thud, like the beating of some big engine; and I discovered, from the flaring of my matches, that a steady current of air set down the shafts. Further, I threw a scrap of paper into the throat of one, and, instead of fluttering slowly down, it was at once sucked swiftly out of sight.

“As far as I could see, the whole world showed the same lush richness as the Thames valley. From every hill I climbed, I saw the same abundance of magnificent buildings, endlessly varied in materials and style. I saw the same dense clusters of evergreens, the same trees heavy with blossoms, and the same tree ferns. Here and there, water shone like silver. Beyond it, the land rose into rolling blue hills, then faded into the peaceful sky. One unusual feature soon caught my attention: a number of round wells, several of which seemed very deep. One stood beside the path up the hill I had followed on my first walk. Like the others, this well had an intricately worked bronze rim and a small dome to keep out the rain. I sat beside these wells and peered down into the darkness of their shafts. I could see no glimmer of water, and even a lit match produced no reflection. But in all the wells I heard the same sound: thud, thud, thud, like the pounding of some large engine. The flaring of my matches also showed me that a steady current of air flowed down the shafts. I also threw a scrap of paper into the opening of one well. Instead of fluttering slowly down, the paper was immediately sucked out of sight.”

“After a time, too, I came to connect these wells with tall towers standing here and there upon the slopes; for above them there was often just such a flicker in the air as one sees on a hot day above a sun-scorched beach. Putting things together, I reached a strong suggestion of an extensive system of subterranean ventilation, whose true import it was difficult to imagine. I was at first inclined to associate it with the sanitary apparatus of these people. It was an obvious conclusion, but it was absolutely wrong.

“After a while, I also began to connect these wells with tall towers scattered across the slopes. Above the towers, the air often shimmered just as it does above a sun-scorched beach on a hot day. These clues strongly suggested a vast underground ventilation system, though its real purpose was hard to imagine. At first, I was inclined to link the system to these people's sanitation equipment. That was an obvious conclusion, but it was completely wrong.

“And here I must admit that I learnt very little of drains and bells and modes of conveyance, and the like conveniences, during my time in this real future. In some of these visions of Utopias and coming times which I have read, there is a vast amount of detail about building, and social arrangements, and so forth. But while such details are easy enough to obtain when the whole world is contained in one’s imagination, they are altogether inaccessible to a real traveller amid such realities as I found here. Conceive the tale of London which a negro, fresh from Central Africa, would take back to his tribe! What would he know of railway companies, of social movements, of telephone and telegraph wires, of the Parcels Delivery Company, and postal orders and the like? Yet we, at least, should be willing enough to explain these things to him! And even of what he knew, how much could he make his untravelled friend either apprehend or believe? Then, think how narrow the gap between a negro and a white man of our own times, and how wide the interval between myself and these of the Golden Age! I was sensible of much which was unseen, and which contributed to my comfort; but save for a general impression of automatic organisation, I fear I can convey very little of the difference to your mind.

“And here I must admit that I learned very little about drains, bells, transport, and similar conveniences in this real future. Some visions of Utopias and future times I have read give vast amounts of detail about buildings and social arrangements. Such details are easy enough to supply when the whole world exists in your imagination. But a real traveller could not discover those details amid the realities I found here. Imagine the account of London a black man newly arrived from Central Africa would take back to his tribe! What would he know about railway companies, social movements, telephone and telegraph wires, or the Parcels Delivery Company? What would he know about postal orders and similar things? Yet we, at least, would be quite willing to explain these things to him! And even among the things he understood, how much could he make his friend, who had never travelled, understand or believe? Then consider how small the gap is between a black man and a white man of our own time. Compare that with the vast gap between me and these people of the Golden Age! I was aware of much that I could not see but that contributed to my comfort. But beyond a general impression that everything was organised automatically, I fear I can explain very little of the difference to you.

“In the matter of sepulture, for instance, I could see no signs of crematoria nor anything suggestive of tombs. But it occurred to me that, possibly, there might be cemeteries (or crematoria) somewhere beyond the range of my explorings. This, again, was a question I deliberately put to myself, and my curiosity was at first entirely defeated upon the point. The thing puzzled me, and I was led to make a further remark, which puzzled me still more: that aged and infirm among this people there were none.

“For example, I saw no signs of crematoriums or anything resembling tombs to show how they dealt with the dead. But I thought there might possibly be cemeteries (or crematoriums) somewhere beyond the area I had explored. This was another question I deliberately asked myself, but at first I could find no answer. The question puzzled me and led me to notice something even more puzzling: none of these people were old or frail.

“I must confess that my satisfaction with my first theories of an automatic civilisation and a decadent humanity did not long endure. Yet I could think of no other. Let me put my difficulties. The several big palaces I had explored were mere living places, great dining-halls and sleeping apartments. I could find no machinery, no appliances of any kind. Yet these people were clothed in pleasant fabrics that must at times need renewal, and their sandals, though undecorated, were fairly complex specimens of metalwork. Somehow such things must be made. And the little people displayed no vestige of a creative tendency. There were no shops, no workshops, no sign of importations among them. They spent all their time in playing gently, in bathing in the river, in making love in a half-playful fashion, in eating fruit and sleeping. I could not see how things were kept going.

“I must admit that my satisfaction with my first theories did not last long. I had imagined an automated civilisation and a humanity in decline. Yet I could think of no other explanation. Let me explain my difficulties. The several large palaces I had explored were simply places to live, with great dining halls and sleeping quarters. I could find no machinery or equipment of any kind. Yet these people wore pleasant fabrics that must need replacing from time to time. And their sandals, though plain, were fairly complex pieces of metalwork. Somehow, such things must be made. And the little people showed no trace of any desire to create things. There were no shops, no workshops, and no sign of imported goods among them. They spent all their time playing gently, bathing in the river, courting in a half-playful way, eating fruit and sleeping. I could not see how everything kept running.”

“Then, again, about the Time Machine: something, I knew not what, had taken it into the hollow pedestal of the White Sphinx. Why? For the life of me I could not imagine. Those waterless wells, too, those flickering pillars. I felt I lacked a clue. I felt—how shall I put it? Suppose you found an inscription, with sentences here and there in excellent plain English, and interpolated therewith, others made up of words, of letters even, absolutely unknown to you? Well, on the third day of my visit, that was how the world of Eight Hundred and Two Thousand Seven Hundred and One presented itself to me!

“Then there was the Time Machine: something had taken it into the hollow pedestal of the White Sphinx. I did not know what had taken it. Why? I could not imagine why, no matter how hard I tried. And there were those dry wells, too, and those flickering pillars. I felt I was missing a clue. How can I describe the feeling? Suppose you found an inscription with some sentences in perfectly clear English. Mixed in were other sentences made up of words, and even letters, completely unknown to you. Well, on the third day of my visit, the world of Eight Hundred and Two Thousand Seven Hundred and One seemed just like that!”

“That day, too, I made a friend—of a sort. It happened that, as I was watching some of the little people bathing in a shallow, one of them was seized with cramp and began drifting downstream. The main current ran rather swiftly, but not too strongly for even a moderate swimmer. It will give you an idea, therefore, of the strange deficiency in these creatures, when I tell you that none made the slightest attempt to rescue the weakly crying little thing which was drowning before their eyes. When I realised this, I hurriedly slipped off my clothes, and, wading in at a point lower down, I caught the poor mite and drew her safe to land. A little rubbing of the limbs soon brought her round, and I had the satisfaction of seeing she was all right before I left her. I had got to such a low estimate of her kind that I did not expect any gratitude from her. In that, however, I was wrong.

“That day, too, I made a friend, of a sort. I was watching some of the little people bathing in shallow water. One of them got a cramp and began drifting downstream. The main current was fairly swift, but even an average swimmer could have managed it. What happened next will give you an idea of the strange failing in these creatures. None made the slightest attempt to rescue the little creature crying weakly and drowning before their eyes. When I realized no one would help, I quickly took off my clothes and waded in farther downstream. I caught the poor little thing and pulled her safely ashore. Rubbing her arms and legs a little soon revived her. Before I left her, I had the satisfaction of seeing that she was all right. My opinion of her kind had sunk so low that I did not expect any gratitude from her. But on that point, I was wrong.”

“This happened in the morning. In the afternoon I met my little woman, as I believe it was, as I was returning towards my centre from an exploration, and she received me with cries of delight and presented me with a big garland of flowers—evidently made for me and me alone. The thing took my imagination. Very possibly I had been feeling desolate. At any rate I did my best to display my appreciation of the gift. We were soon seated together in a little stone arbour, engaged in conversation, chiefly of smiles. The creature’s friendliness affected me exactly as a child’s might have done. We passed each other flowers, and she kissed my hands. I did the same to hers. Then I tried talk, and found that her name was Weena, which, though I don’t know what it meant, somehow seemed appropriate enough. That was the beginning of a queer friendship which lasted a week, and ended—as I will tell you!

“This happened in the morning. In the afternoon I met my little woman, as I believe she was. I was returning to my base after exploring. She greeted me with delighted cries and gave me a large garland of flowers, clearly made for me alone. The gift caught my imagination. Quite possibly I had been feeling lonely. In any case, I did my best to show how much I appreciated the gift. Soon we were sitting together in a little stone shelter, talking mostly through smiles. Her friendliness moved me just as a child’s might have done. We passed flowers to each other, and she kissed my hands. I kissed hers too. Then I tried speaking with her and learned that her name was Weena. Though I didn’t know what the name meant, somehow it seemed fitting enough. That was the beginning of a strange friendship. Our friendship lasted a week and ended as I will tell you!”

“She was exactly like a child. She wanted to be with me always. She tried to follow me everywhere, and on my next journey out and about it went to my heart to tire her down, and leave her at last, exhausted and calling after me rather plaintively. But the problems of the world had to be mastered. I had not, I said to myself, come into the future to carry on a miniature flirtation. Yet her distress when I left her was very great, her expostulations at the parting were sometimes frantic, and I think, altogether, I had as much trouble as comfort from her devotion. Nevertheless she was, somehow, a very great comfort. I thought it was mere childish affection that made her cling to me. Until it was too late, I did not clearly know what I had inflicted upon her when I left her. Nor until it was too late did I clearly understand what she was to me. For, by merely seeming fond of me, and showing in her weak, futile way that she cared for me, the little doll of a creature presently gave my return to the neighbourhood of the White Sphinx almost the feeling of coming home; and I would watch for her tiny figure of white and gold so soon as I came over the hill.

“She was exactly like a child. She wanted to be with me always. She tried to follow me everywhere. On my next outing, I was heartbroken to wear her out and finally leave her behind, exhausted and calling sadly after me. But I had to understand the problems of the world. I told myself I had not come into the future for a little flirtation. Yet she was deeply distressed when I left her, and her protests when we parted were sometimes frantic. Altogether, I think her devotion gave me as much trouble as comfort. Nevertheless, she was somehow a very great comfort. I thought she clung to me out of nothing more than childish affection. Until it was too late, I did not clearly understand the suffering I had caused her by leaving her. Nor did I clearly understand, until it was too late, what she meant to me. She simply seemed fond of me and showed, in her weak, helpless way, that she cared for me. Yet before long, the little doll-like creature made returning to the area around the White Sphinx feel almost like coming home. As soon as I came over the hill, I would look for her tiny figure of white and gold.

“It was from her, too, that I learnt that fear had not yet left the world. She was fearless enough in the daylight, and she had the oddest confidence in me; for once, in a foolish moment, I made threatening grimaces at her, and she simply laughed at them. But she dreaded the dark, dreaded shadows, dreaded black things. Darkness to her was the one thing dreadful. It was a singularly passionate emotion, and it set me thinking and observing. I discovered then, among other things, that these little people gathered into the great houses after dark, and slept in droves. To enter upon them without a light was to put them into a tumult of apprehension. I never found one out of doors, or one sleeping alone within doors, after dark. Yet I was still such a blockhead that I missed the lesson of that fear, and in spite of Weena’s distress, I insisted upon sleeping away from these slumbering multitudes.

“From her, too, I learned that fear had not yet left the world. She was quite fearless in daylight, and she had the strangest confidence in me. Once, in a foolish moment, I made threatening faces at her, and she simply laughed at them. But she dreaded the dark, dreaded shadows, dreaded black things. To her, darkness was the one truly dreadful thing. Her fear was unusually intense, and it made me think and observe. Among other things, I discovered that these little people gathered in the great houses after dark and slept in crowds. Entering those houses without a light threw the people inside into a panic. After dark, I never found anyone outdoors or anyone sleeping alone indoors. Yet I was still such a fool that I failed to understand the lesson of their fear. Despite Weena’s distress, I insisted on sleeping away from these sleeping crowds.

“It troubled her greatly, but in the end her odd affection for me triumphed, and for five of the nights of our acquaintance, including the last night of all, she slept with her head pillowed on my arm. But my story slips away from me as I speak of her. It must have been the night before her rescue that I was awakened about dawn. I had been restless, dreaming most disagreeably that I was drowned, and that sea anemones were feeling over my face with their soft palps. I woke with a start, and with an odd fancy that some greyish animal had just rushed out of the chamber. I tried to get to sleep again, but I felt restless and uncomfortable. It was that dim grey hour when things are just creeping out of darkness, when everything is colourless and clear cut, and yet unreal. I got up, and went down into the great hall, and so out upon the flagstones in front of the palace. I thought I would make a virtue of necessity, and see the sunrise.

“It upset her greatly, but in the end her strange affection for me won out. For five of the nights we knew each other, including the very last, she slept with her head on my arm. But as I speak of her, I lose track of my story. It must have been the night before her rescue that I woke around dawn. I had been restless, having a very unpleasant dream that I had drowned. In the dream, sea anemones were feeling over my face with their soft tentacles. I woke with a start, with the strange impression that some greyish animal had just rushed out of the room. I tried to go back to sleep, but I felt restless and uncomfortable. It was that dim grey hour when things are just emerging from the darkness. Everything looks colourless and sharply outlined, yet unreal. I got up and went down into the great hall, then outside onto the flagstones in front of the palace. I thought I would make the best of being awake and watch the sunrise.

“The moon was setting, and the dying moonlight and the first pallor of dawn were mingled in a ghastly half-light. The bushes were inky black, the ground a sombre grey, the sky colourless and cheerless. And up the hill I thought I could see ghosts. Three several times, as I scanned the slope, I saw white figures. Twice I fancied I saw a solitary white, ape-like creature running rather quickly up the hill, and once near the ruins I saw a leash of them carrying some dark body. They moved hastily. I did not see what became of them. It seemed that they vanished among the bushes. The dawn was still indistinct, you must understand. I was feeling that chill, uncertain, early-morning feeling you may have known. I doubted my eyes.

“The moon was setting. Its fading light mixed with the first pale light of dawn, creating an eerie half-light. The bushes were pitch-black, the ground a gloomy grey, and the sky colourless and cheerless. And up the hill I thought I could see ghosts. Three separate times, as I searched the slope, I saw white figures. Twice I thought I saw a lone white, ape-like creature running fairly quickly up the hill. Once, near the ruins, I saw three of them carrying some dark body. The creatures moved hurriedly. I did not see what became of them. They seemed to vanish among the bushes. You must understand that the dawn light was still faint. I had that cold, uncertain feeling you may have known in the early morning. I doubted my eyes.”

“As the eastern sky grew brighter, and the light of the day came on and its vivid colouring returned upon the world once more, I scanned the view keenly. But I saw no vestige of my white figures. They were mere creatures of the half-light. ‘They must have been ghosts,’ I said; ‘I wonder whence they dated.’ For a queer notion of Grant Allen’s came into my head, and amused me. If each generation die and leave ghosts, he argued, the world at last will get overcrowded with them. On that theory they would have grown innumerable some Eight Hundred Thousand Years hence, and it was no great wonder to see four at once. But the jest was unsatisfying, and I was thinking of these figures all the morning, until Weena’s rescue drove them out of my head. I associated them in some indefinite way with the white animal I had startled in my first passionate search for the Time Machine. But Weena was a pleasant substitute. Yet all the same, they were soon destined to take far deadlier possession of my mind.

“As the eastern sky brightened, daylight returned, bringing the world’s vivid colours back. I searched the view carefully. But I saw no trace of my white figures. They were creatures of the dim light alone. ‘They must have been ghosts,’ I said. ‘I wonder what age they came from.’ A strange idea of Grant Allen’s had come to mind and amused me. If each generation dies and leaves ghosts behind, he argued, the world will eventually become overcrowded with ghosts. On that theory, there would be countless ghosts some Eight Hundred Thousand Years in the future. So seeing four at once was hardly surprising. But the joke did not satisfy me. I kept thinking about the figures all morning, until rescuing Weena drove them out of my mind. I vaguely connected the figures with the white animal I had startled during my first frantic search for the Time Machine. But Weena was a pleasant alternative to thinking about them. Even so, the figures would soon take hold of my mind in a far deadlier way.”

“I think I have said how much hotter than our own was the weather of this Golden Age. I cannot account for it. It may be that the sun was hotter, or the earth nearer the sun. It is usual to assume that the sun will go on cooling steadily in the future. But people, unfamiliar with such speculations as those of the younger Darwin, forget that the planets must ultimately fall back one by one into the parent body. As these catastrophes occur, the sun will blaze with renewed energy; and it may be that some inner planet had suffered this fate. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that the sun was very much hotter than we know it.

“I think I have mentioned how much hotter the weather of this Golden Age was than in our own time. I cannot explain the heat. Perhaps the sun was hotter, or the earth was closer to the sun. People usually assume that the sun will keep cooling steadily in the future. But those unfamiliar with theories like those of the younger Darwin forget something. The planets must eventually fall back into the sun, one by one. As these disasters happen, the sun will blaze with renewed energy. Perhaps an inner planet had already met this fate. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that the sun was much hotter than the sun we know.”

“Well, one very hot morning—my fourth, I think—as I was seeking shelter from the heat and glare in a colossal ruin near the great house where I slept and fed, there happened this strange thing. Clambering among these heaps of masonry, I found a narrow gallery, whose end and side windows were blocked by fallen masses of stone. By contrast with the brilliancy outside, it seemed at first impenetrably dark to me. I entered it groping, for the change from light to blackness made spots of colour swim before me. Suddenly I halted spellbound. A pair of eyes, luminous by reflection against the daylight without, was watching me out of the darkness.

“Well, one very hot morning, I think my fourth, something strange happened. I was seeking shelter from the heat and glare in a huge ruin near the great house. That was where I slept and ate. Climbing among the heaps of broken stone, I found a narrow passage. Fallen blocks of stone covered the windows at its end and along its sides. Compared with the bright light outside, the passage seemed completely dark at first. I felt my way inside, because the change from light to darkness made spots of colour swim before my eyes. Suddenly I stopped, transfixed. A pair of eyes was watching me from the darkness, shining with reflected daylight from outside.

“The old instinctive dread of wild beasts came upon me. I clenched my hands and steadfastly looked into the glaring eyeballs. I was afraid to turn. Then the thought of the absolute security in which humanity appeared to be living came to my mind. And then I remembered that strange terror of the dark. Overcoming my fear to some extent, I advanced a step and spoke. I will admit that my voice was harsh and ill-controlled. I put out my hand and touched something soft. At once the eyes darted sideways, and something white ran past me. I turned with my heart in my mouth, and saw a queer little ape-like figure, its head held down in a peculiar manner, running across the sunlit space behind me. It blundered against a block of granite, staggered aside, and in a moment was hidden in a black shadow beneath another pile of ruined masonry.

“The old, instinctive fear of wild animals came over me. I clenched my fists and stared steadily into the glaring eyes. I was afraid to turn around. Then I thought of how completely safe humanity seemed to be. And then I remembered that strange fear of the dark. Overcoming some of my fear, I took a step forward and spoke. I admit that my voice was harsh and hard to control. I reached out and touched something soft. At once the eyes darted sideways, and something white ran past me. I turned, my heart in my mouth, and saw a strange little ape-like figure running across the sunlit space behind me. The figure held its head down in an odd way. It stumbled into a block of granite, staggered to one side, and vanished a moment later into deep shadow beneath another pile of ruined stonework.

“My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back. But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly. I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low. After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins. I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar. A sudden thought came to me. Could this Thing have vanished down the shaft? I lit a match, and, looking down, I saw a small, white, moving creature, with large bright eyes which regarded me steadfastly as it retreated. It made me shudder. It was so like a human spider! It was clambering down the wall, and now I saw for the first time a number of metal foot and hand rests forming a kind of ladder down the shaft. Then the light burned my fingers and fell out of my hand, going out as it dropped, and when I had lit another the little monster had disappeared.

“My impression of the creature is, of course, incomplete. But I know it was a dull white and had strange, large, grayish-red eyes. It also had pale blond hair on its head and down its back. But, as I say, it moved too fast for me to see clearly. I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours or just held its forearms very low. After a moment’s pause, I followed it into the second pile of ruins. I could not find it at first. But after some time in the deep darkness, I found one of those round, well-like openings I told you about. A fallen pillar partly blocked the opening. A sudden thought came to me. Could this Thing have disappeared down the shaft? I lit a match and looked down. I saw a small, white creature moving below, its large, bright eyes watching me steadily as it retreated. The sight made me shudder. The creature was so like a human spider! It was climbing down the wall. Now, for the first time, I saw metal footholds and handholds forming a kind of ladder down the shaft. Then the match burned my fingers and fell from my hand, going out as it dropped. By the time I had lit another match, the little monster had disappeared.”

“I do not know how long I sat peering down that well. It was not for some time that I could succeed in persuading myself that the thing I had seen was human. But, gradually, the truth dawned on me: that Man had not remained one species, but had differentiated into two distinct animals: that my graceful children of the Upper World were not the sole descendants of our generation, but that this bleached, obscene, nocturnal Thing, which had flashed before me, was also heir to all the ages.

“I do not know how long I sat peering down that well. For some time, I could not convince myself that the thing I had seen was human. But gradually, the truth dawned on me: humanity had not remained a single species. Instead, it had split into two distinct animals. My graceful children of the Upper World were not the only descendants of our generation. That pale, repulsive, night-dwelling Thing that had flashed before me was also an heir to all the ages.

“I thought of the flickering pillars and of my theory of an underground ventilation. I began to suspect their true import. And what, I wondered, was this Lemur doing in my scheme of a perfectly balanced organisation? How was it related to the indolent serenity of the beautiful Overworlders? And what was hidden down there, at the foot of that shaft? I sat upon the edge of the well telling myself that, at any rate, there was nothing to fear, and that there I must descend for the solution of my difficulties. And withal I was absolutely afraid to go! As I hesitated, two of the beautiful upperworld people came running in their amorous sport across the daylight in the shadow. The male pursued the female, flinging flowers at her as he ran.

“I thought of the flickering pillars and my theory of underground ventilation. I began to suspect what the pillars really meant. And what, I wondered, was this Lemur doing in my picture of a perfectly balanced society? How was the Lemur connected to the lazy calm of the beautiful Overworlders? And what was hidden down there, at the bottom of that shaft? I sat on the edge of the well, telling myself that, at least, there was nothing to fear. I had to go down there to find answers to my questions. And yet I was absolutely afraid to go! As I hesitated, two of the beautiful upperworld people came running from the daylight into the shade, playing a lovers’ game. The male chased the female, throwing flowers at her as he ran.

“They seemed distressed to find me, my arm against the overturned pillar, peering down the well. Apparently it was considered bad form to remark these apertures; for when I pointed to this one, and tried to frame a question about it in their tongue, they were still more visibly distressed and turned away. But they were interested by my matches, and I struck some to amuse them. I tried them again about the well, and again I failed. So presently I left them, meaning to go back to Weena, and see what I could get from her. But my mind was already in revolution; my guesses and impressions were slipping and sliding to a new adjustment. I had now a clue to the import of these wells, to the ventilating towers, to the mystery of the ghosts; to say nothing of a hint at the meaning of the bronze gates and the fate of the Time Machine! And very vaguely there came a suggestion towards the solution of the economic problem that had puzzled me.

“They seemed upset to find me peering down the well, with my arm resting against the overturned pillar. Apparently, drawing attention to these openings was considered bad manners. When I pointed to this well and tried to ask about it in their language, they looked even more upset. They turned away. But my matches interested them, and I struck some to amuse them. I tried asking them about the well again, and again I failed. So I soon left them, intending to return to Weena and see what I could learn from her. But my thinking was already changing radically. My guesses and impressions were shifting into a new pattern. I now had a clue to the meaning of these wells, the ventilation towers, and the mystery of the ghosts. I even had a hint about the meaning of the bronze gates and the fate of the Time Machine! And, very vaguely, I began to glimpse a possible answer to the economic question that had puzzled me.

“Here was the new view. Plainly, this second species of Man was subterranean. There were three circumstances in particular which made me think that its rare emergence above ground was the outcome of a long-continued underground habit. In the first place, there was the bleached look common in most animals that live largely in the dark—the white fish of the Kentucky caves, for instance. Then, those large eyes, with that capacity for reflecting light, are common features of nocturnal things—witness the owl and the cat. And last of all, that evident confusion in the sunshine, that hasty yet fumbling awkward flight towards dark shadow, and that peculiar carriage of the head while in the light—all reinforced the theory of an extreme sensitiveness of the retina.

“Here was the new explanation. Clearly, this second species of Man lived underground. Three things in particular suggested that its rare trips above ground resulted from a long history of living underground. First, there was the pale appearance common in most animals that live mainly in darkness. The white fish in the Kentucky caves are one example. Then there were those large eyes, with their ability to reflect light. Such eyes are common in creatures active at night, like owls and cats. Finally, there was the obvious confusion in sunlight, and the hurried but clumsy escape toward dark shadows. There was also the strange way these creatures held their heads in the light. All these last signs supported the theory that their retinas were extremely sensitive.”

“Beneath my feet, then, the earth must be tunnelled enormously, and these tunnellings were the habitat of the New Race. The presence of ventilating shafts and wells along the hill slopes—everywhere, in fact, except along the river valley—showed how universal were its ramifications. What so natural, then, as to assume that it was in this artificial Underworld that such work as was necessary to the comfort of the daylight race was done? The notion was so plausible that I at once accepted it, and went on to assume the how of this splitting of the human species. I dare say you will anticipate the shape of my theory; though, for myself, I very soon felt that it fell far short of the truth.

“Beneath my feet, then, the earth must be filled with vast tunnels where the New Race lived. Ventilation shafts and wells dotted the hillsides, and in fact appeared everywhere except along the river valley. They showed how widely the tunnels spread. What could be more natural, then, than to assume that necessary work was done in this artificial Underworld? Such work would keep the daylight race comfortable. The idea seemed so plausible that I accepted it at once. I then went on to consider the how of this division of the human species. I dare say you can guess what my theory was. Though, for my part, I very soon felt that my theory fell far short of the truth.

“At first, proceeding from the problems of our own age, it seemed clear as daylight to me that the gradual widening of the present merely temporary and social difference between the Capitalist and the Labourer was the key to the whole position. No doubt it will seem grotesque enough to you—and wildly incredible!—and yet even now there are existing circumstances to point that way. There is a tendency to utilise underground space for the less ornamental purposes of civilisation; there is the Metropolitan Railway in London, for instance, there are new electric railways, there are subways, there are underground workrooms and restaurants, and they increase and multiply. Evidently, I thought, this tendency had increased till Industry had gradually lost its birthright in the sky. I mean that it had gone deeper and deeper into larger and ever larger underground factories, spending a still-increasing amount of its time therein, till, in the end—! Even now, does not an East-end worker live in such artificial conditions as practically to be cut off from the natural surface of the earth?

“At first, I started with the problems of our own age, and the answer seemed as clear as daylight. The gap between the Capitalist and the Labourer was gradually widening. That gap, now only temporary and social, seemed to me the key to the whole situation. No doubt the idea will seem absurd to you, and wildly unbelievable! Yet even now, some existing conditions point in that direction. We tend to use underground space for the less attractive purposes of civilisation. There is the Metropolitan Railway in London, for instance. There are new electric railways, pedestrian tunnels, underground workrooms and restaurants, and their numbers keep growing. Clearly, I thought, this trend had continued until Industry had gradually lost its birthright to the open sky. I mean that Industry had moved deeper and deeper into larger and larger underground factories. Workers spent more and more of their time down there, until, in the end...! Even now, doesn't an East-end worker live in such artificial conditions that he is practically cut off from the earth's natural surface?

“Again, the exclusive tendency of richer people—due, no doubt, to the increasing refinement of their education, and the widening gulf between them and the rude violence of the poor—is already leading to the closing, in their interest, of considerable portions of the surface of the land. About London, for instance, perhaps half the prettier country is shut in against intrusion. And this same widening gulf—which is due to the length and expense of the higher educational process and the increased facilities for and temptations towards refined habits on the part of the rich—will make that exchange between class and class, that promotion by intermarriage which at present retards the splitting of our species along lines of social stratification, less and less frequent. So, in the end, above ground you must have the Haves, pursuing pleasure and comfort and beauty, and below ground the Have-nots, the Workers getting continually adapted to the conditions of their labour. Once they were there, they would no doubt have to pay rent, and not a little of it, for the ventilation of their caverns; and if they refused, they would starve or be suffocated for arrears. Such of them as were so constituted as to be miserable and rebellious would die; and, in the end, the balance being permanent, the survivors would become as well adapted to the conditions of underground life, and as happy in their way, as the Overworld people were to theirs. As it seemed to me, the refined beauty and the etiolated pallor followed naturally enough.

“Again, richer people increasingly shut others out. This is no doubt because their education is becoming more refined. The gap between them and the crude violence of the poor is also growing. This tendency is already closing off large areas of land for the benefit of the rich. Around London, for instance, perhaps half the prettier countryside is closed to outsiders. And the same widening gap has further causes. Higher education takes longer and costs more. The rich also have more opportunities and temptations to develop refined habits. This gap will make movement between classes, and advancement through marriage, less and less common. Such marriages currently slow the division of our species along class lines. So, in the end, above ground you must have the Haves, pursuing pleasure, comfort, and beauty. Below ground must be the Have-nots, the Workers, steadily adapting to their working conditions. Once the Workers were underground, they would no doubt have to pay rent for the ventilation of their caverns. And the rent would be far from small. If they refused to pay, they would starve or be suffocated for falling behind on rent. Those whose natures made them miserable and rebellious would die. In the end, with this balance permanently established, the survivors would become well adapted to underground life. They would be as well adapted, and as happy in their way, as the Overworld people were above ground. As I saw it, the refined beauty and the pallor caused by a lack of sunlight followed naturally enough.

“The great triumph of Humanity I had dreamed of took a different shape in my mind. It had been no such triumph of moral education and general co-operation as I had imagined. Instead, I saw a real aristocracy, armed with a perfected science and working to a logical conclusion the industrial system of today. Its triumph had not been simply a triumph over Nature, but a triumph over Nature and the fellow-man. This, I must warn you, was my theory at the time. I had no convenient cicerone in the pattern of the Utopian books. My explanation may be absolutely wrong. I still think it is the most plausible one. But even on this supposition the balanced civilisation that was at last attained must have long since passed its zenith, and was now far fallen into decay. The too-perfect security of the Overworlders had led them to a slow movement of degeneration, to a general dwindling in size, strength, and intelligence. That I could see clearly enough already. What had happened to the Undergrounders I did not yet suspect; but, from what I had seen of the Morlocks—that, by the bye, was the name by which these creatures were called—I could imagine that the modification of the human type was even far more profound than among the ‘Eloi,’ the beautiful race that I already knew.

“The great triumph of Humanity I had dreamed of now took a different shape in my mind. It had not been the triumph of moral education and widespread cooperation I had imagined. Instead, I saw a true aristocracy, armed with perfected science. It had taken today’s industrial system to its logical conclusion. Its triumph had not been over Nature alone, but over Nature and other human beings. I must warn you that this was my theory at the time. I had no helpful guide like those in Utopian books. My explanation may be completely wrong. I still think it is the most plausible one. But even if my theory was right, the stable civilisation finally achieved must have peaked long ago. It had now fallen far into decay. The Overworlders’ all-too-perfect safety had caused them to deteriorate slowly, becoming generally smaller, weaker, and less intelligent. I could already see that decline clearly enough. I did not yet suspect what had happened to the Undergrounders. But I could draw some conclusions from what I had seen of the Morlocks. That, by the way, was what these creatures were called. I could imagine that their human form had changed far more profoundly than that of the ‘Eloi.’ The Eloi were the beautiful race I already knew.

“Then came troublesome doubts. Why had the Morlocks taken my Time Machine? For I felt sure it was they who had taken it. Why, too, if the Eloi were masters, could they not restore the machine to me? And why were they so terribly afraid of the dark? I proceeded, as I have said, to question Weena about this Underworld, but here again I was disappointed. At first she would not understand my questions, and presently she refused to answer them. She shivered as though the topic was unendurable. And when I pressed her, perhaps a little harshly, she burst into tears. They were the only tears, except my own, I ever saw in that Golden Age. When I saw them I ceased abruptly to trouble about the Morlocks, and was only concerned in banishing these signs of her human inheritance from Weena’s eyes. And very soon she was smiling and clapping her hands, while I solemnly burnt a match.

“Then troubling doubts arose. Why had the Morlocks taken my Time Machine? I felt sure they were the ones who had taken it. And if the Eloi were masters, why couldn’t they return the machine to me? Why were the Eloi so terribly afraid of the dark? As I have said, I went on to question Weena about this Underworld, but again I was disappointed. At first she would not understand my questions, and soon she refused to answer them. She shivered as though she could not bear the subject. And when I pressed her, perhaps a little harshly, she burst into tears. Apart from my own, hers were the only tears I ever saw in that Golden Age. When I saw her tears, I abruptly stopped worrying about the Morlocks. I cared only about clearing those signs of her human inheritance from Weena’s eyes. And very soon she was smiling and clapping her hands while I solemnly lit a match.”