Watching some Eloi playing and swimming, the Time Traveller realizes that the Eloi are for the Morlocks an abundant source of food. The Eloi have only a vague idea of the danger they are in and what their end will be. The human mind, he feels, has "committed suicide" by seeking ease and security. Now there is an "Upper-world" and an "Under-world," with the inhabitants of the latter having retained more initiative and edge.

As he approaches the White Sphinx, he discovers to his surprise that there are doors in the bronze pedestal that are open. Inside he glimpses his time machine on a raised platform. Furthermore, it has been oiled and cleaned. He enters and the doors slam shut. He laughs, as he has expected all of this. All he has to do is light a match and be on his way. However, to his horror he discovers that his matches need the rough strip on the side of a matchbox to be lit. He has no matchbox.