The dragon's big eyes were like headlights on an automobile and illuminated the Tube far ahead of them.

Also he curled his tail upward so that the electric light on the end of it enabled them to see one another quite clearly.

But the Tube itself was only dark metal, smooth as glass but exactly the same from one of its ends to the other.

Therefore there was no scenery of interest to beguile the journey.
They were now falling so gently that the trip was proving entirely comfortable, as the Jinjin had promised it would be; but this meant a longer journey and the only way they could make time pass was to engage in conversation.

The dragon seemed a willing and persistent talker and he was of so much interest to them that they encouraged him to chatter.
His voice was a little gruff but not unpleasant when one became used to it.
"My only fear," said he presently, "is that this constant sliding over the surface of the Tube will dull my claws.