Question

always suspected some subtle reserve, some ingenuity in ambush, behind his lucid frankness. had filby shown the model and explained the matter in the time traveller’s words, we should have shown him far less scepticism. for we should have perceived his motives; a pork butcher could understand filby. but the time traveller had more than a touch of whim among his elements, and we distrusted him. things that would have made the frame of a less clever man seemed tricks in his hands. a. clever people are usually lethargic. b. clever people are often spontaneous. c. clever people are sometimes whimsical. d. clever people are very proud of themselves. e. clever people are insensitive to others.

Explanation:

The text notes the Time Traveller is clever, has "more than a touch of whim among his elements", and his actions would seem like tricks from a less clever person. This matches the idea that clever people can be whimsical. Other options don't align: lethargy, spontaneity, excessive pride, and insensitivity are not mentioned.

Answer:

C. Clever people are sometimes whimsical.