but his heart was cold within him. "But if it is two
hundred years, every soul I know, every human being
that ever I saw or spoke to before I went to sleep,
must be dead."

They did not answer him.

"The Queen and the Royal Family, her Ministers,
of Church and State. High and low, rich and poor, one
with another --"

"Is there England still?"

"That's a comfort! Is there London?"
E "This _is_ London, eh? And you are my assistant --
custodian; assistant-custodian. And these -- ? Eh?
Assistant-custodians to?"

He sat with a gaunt stare on his face. "But why
am I here? No! Don't talk. Be quiet. Let me --"

He sat silent, rubbed his eyes, and, uncovering them,
found another little glass of pinkish fluid held towards
him. He took the dose. It was almost immediately
sustaining. Directly he had taken it he began to weep
naturally and refreshingly.

Presently he looked at their faces, suddenly laughed
through his tears, a little foolishly. "But -- two --
hun -- dred -- years!" he said. He grimaced hysterically