Now leave me, Strangers, for I have much to do," and he waved his hand towards the table.
We rose and bowed, wondering what he could have to do down in this luminous hole, he who had been for so many thousands of years out of touch with the world.

It occurred to me, however, that during this long period he might have got in touch with other worlds, indeed he looked like it.
"Wait," he said, "I have something to tell you.

I have been studying this book of writings, or world pictures," and he pointed to my atlas which, as I now observed for the first time, was also lying upon the table.

"It interests me much.

Your country is small, very small.