"Well, considerin' that there are no railroads and no steamers you mightas well talk about survivors in the moon," said Lord John. "But what I'maskin' myself is whether it's really over or whether it's only half-time."
Summerlee craned his neck to look round the horizon. "It seems clear andfine," said he in a very dubious voice; "but so it did yesterday. I amby no means assured that it is all over."
Challenger shrugged his shoulders.
"We must come back once more to our fatalism," said he. "If the worldhas undergone this experience before, which is not outside the range ofpossibility, it was certainly a very long time ago. Therefore, we mayreasonably hope that it will be very long before it occurs again."
"That's all very well," said Lord John, "but if you get an earthquakeshock you are mighty likely to have a second one right on the top of it.I think we'd be wise to stretch our legs and have a breath of air whilewe have the chance. Since our oxygen is exhausted we may just as well becaught outside as in."
It was strange the absolute lethargy which had come upon us as a reactionafter our tremendous emotions of the last twenty-four hours. It was bothmental and physical, a deep-lying feeling that nothing mattered and thateverything was a weariness and a profitless exertion. Even Challengerhad succumbed to it, and sat in his chair, with his great head leaningupon his hands and his thoughts far away, until Lord John and I, catchinghim by each arm, fairly lifted him on to his feet, receiving only theglare and growl of an angry mastiff for our trouble. However, once wehad got out of our narrow haven of refuge into the wider atmosphere ofeveryday life, our normal energy came gradually back to us once more.
But what were we to begin to do in that graveyard of a world? Could evermen have been faced with such a question since the dawn of time? It istrue that our own physical needs, and even our luxuries, were assured forthe future. All the stores of food, all the vintages of wine, all thetreasures of art were ours for the taking. But what were we to _do_?Some few tasks appealed to us at once, since they lay ready to our hands.We descended into the kitchen and laid the two domestics upon theirrespective beds. They seemed to have died without suffering, one in thechair by the fire, the other upon the scullery floor. Then we carried inpoor Austin from the yard. His muscles were set as hard as a board inthe most exaggerated rigor mort
is, while the contraction of the fibreshad drawn his mouth into a hard sardonic grin. This symptom wasprevalent among all who had died from the poison. Wherever we went wewere confronted by those grinning faces, which seemed to mock at ourdreadful position, smiling silently and grimly at the ill-fated survivorsof their race.
"Look here," said Lord John, who had paced restlessly about thedining-room whilst we partook of some food, "I don't know how you fellowsfeel about it, but for my part, I simply _can't_ sit here and do nothin'."
"Perhaps," Challenger answered, "you would have the kindness to suggestwhat you think we ought to do."
"Get a move on us and see all that has happened."
"That is what I should myself propose."
"But not in this little country village. We can see from the window allthat this place can teach us."
"Where should we go, then?"
"To London!"
"That's all very well," grumbled Summerlee. "You may be equal to aforty-mile walk, but I'm not so sure about Challenger, with his stumpylegs, and I am perfectly sure about myself." Challenger was very muchannoyed.
"If you could see your way, sir, to confining your remarks to your ownphysical peculiarities, you would find that you had an ample field forcomment," he cried.
"I had no intention to offend you, my dear Challenger," cried ourtactless friend. "You can't be held responsible for your own physique.If nature has given you a short, heavy body you cannot possibly helphaving stumpy legs."
Challenger was too furious to answer. He could only growl and blink andbristle. Lord John hastened to intervene before the dispute became moreviolent.
"You talk of walking. Why should we walk?" said he.
"Do you suggest taking a train?" asked Challenger, still simmering.
"What's the matter with the motor-car? Why should we not go in that?"
"I am not an expert," said Challenger, pulling at his beard reflectively."At the same time, you are right in supposing that the human intellect inits higher manifestations should be sufficiently flexible to turn itselfto anything. Your idea is an excellent one, Lord John. I myself willdrive you all to London."
"You will do nothing of the kind," said Summerlee with decision.
"No, indeed, George!" cried his wife. "You only tried once, and youremember how you crashed through the gate of the garage."
"It was a momentary want of concentration," said Challenger complacently."You can consider the matter settled. I will certainly drive you all toLondon."
The situation was relieved by Lord John.
"What's the car?" he asked.
"A twenty-horsepower Humber."
"Why, I've driven one for years," said he. "By George!" he added. "Inever thought I'd live to take the whole human race in one load. There'sjust room for five, as I remember it. Get your things on, and I'll beready at the door by ten o'clock."