"'Why should the Tripods take people away and Cap them? What right have they?'

"'They do it for our good.'

"'But I don't see why it has to happen. I'd sooner stay as I am.'

"He smiled. 'You can't understand now, but you will understand when it happens. It's...' He shook his head. 'I can't describe it.'

"'Jack,' I said, 'I've been thinking.' He waited, without much interest. 'Of what you said - about the wonderful things that men made, before the Tripods.'

"'That was nonsense,' he said, and turned and walked on to the village. I watched him for a time and then, feeling very much alone, made my way to the den." (Chapter 1, p. 18)

"'...But listen, and I will tell you. The Tripods first. Do you know what they are?' I shook my head, and...