The men are assembled, but the Time Traveller himself is curiously absent, though apparently had planned to be because he left a note for them to start without him. The men oblige, and they wonder where he could be. The narrator suggests that he may have gone time traveling. Then the Psychologist explains to the men who were not there the week before what the narrator is suggesting. At that moment Time Traveller himself enters, sick, untidy and limping. After stocking up with a bit of wine he refuses to answer questions and leaves to clean up and dress, promising to tell the story when he returns. When he finally return he refuses to tell the story until he has eaten, "starving for a bit of meat," he says. After he admitts to time traveling when asked by the narrator. The men are unsure through the rest of dinner, not knowing what to make of the situation. When they have finished the Time Traveller suggests they retire to the smoking- room for the tale. He promises to tell the entire unedited story if the guests promise not to interrupt, which they all agree. The narrator expresses that he cannot copy the time travelers story down, "with only too much keenness the inadequacy of pen and ink-and, above all, my own inadequacy-to express its quality.".
Chapter Three.
The Time Traveller recounts his tale, by first explaining how one of the nickel bars on the machine was one inch too short, which caused a delay of almost an entire week. He then begins his description of the physical sensation of time traveling. He felt as though he were falling, but at the same time in constant motion, swaying and rocking. He also describes what he sees while time traveling: flickering views of the world flashing past, moving faster and faster as he accelerates through time, until he reaches a speed in which all has become blurred except the movement of the planets and constellations. Slowly the unpleasant physical sensations become less noticeable as well as his mental confusion as he begins to attempt to process his journey forward in time.
