“Yes. We are English. We come from that part of our world that was known as England, you know.”
“We have the ‘gift of tongues’ my friend,” said the Jkak. “Until we spoke to you, we had never before heard your tongue, but the moment you spoke we understood. I cannot describe our gift—it just—is. We of Keemar all speak one tongue. No confusion is here. Until you came, we had never had the opportunity to benefit from this gift we all believed we possessed. To-day, all Keemarnians are thanking Mitzor, the Great White Glory and Tower of Help, for His graciousness in having conferred upon us this gift, and for allowing us to have the means given us for using the ‘gift of tongues’. We understand, all of us. We may not understand every expression you utter, for things are different in other worlds, and we ourselves no doubt possess peculiarities of our own—still we can converse freely with you.”
“It is a wonderful gift to possess,” said Sir John.
“Now your story,” insisted the Jkak gently.
So Alan told the whole story of his life since the time when he and Desmond first went to Marshfielden. He told of the Light, and the people of Kalvar—of their wonderful escape from the bowels of the earth, and of the end of the world.
“So Quilphis is no more,” said the Jkak. “Indeed, we witnessed its destruction, and thought that your airship was part of the planet itself. And so,” he went on, “you believe that the end of the world was caused through the failure of the fire in the centre of the earth?”
“I feel sure of it,” said Alan. “During our stay in Kalvar, we noticed that the Fire grew daily less and less. And the purple people prophesied that when the Fire went out, then would come the end of the world. I think that, in its last dying gasp, it tried to get a new lease of life. In its gigantic death struggle, it burst its bonds, and earthquakes, volcanoes, and water spouts were the result.”
“Oh, it was horrible,” said Mavis shuddering.
“And your ship—the one you sailed in—you must invite me to see it,” said the Jkak.
“Why, of course,” said Sir John. “Have you not been?”