But this restlessness would have given way to decided uneasiness, if they had known at what a slow rate they were travelling.

They would have surely concluded that their present velocity would never be able to take them as far as the neutral point, not to talk of passing it.

The reason of such considerable retardation was, that by this time the Projectile had reached such a great distance from the Earth that it had hardly any weight.

But even this weight, such as it was, was to be diminished still further, and finally, to vanish altogether as soon as the bullet reached the neutral point, where the two attractions, terrestrial and lunar, should counteract each other with new and surprising effects.
Notwithstanding the absorbing nature of his observations, Ardan never forgot to prepare breakfast with his usual punctuality.

It was eaten readily and relished heartily.