facsimiles of blueprints, paintings, newspapers, magazines, letters, andthe scores of several pieces of music. He displayed a football, abaseball, a Browning automatic rifle, a doorknob, a chain of keys, thetops to several Mason jars, a model beehive. He played him the recordedmusic.

Then he returned with nothing.

"Bring me more," said Frost.

"Alas, great Frost, there is no more," he told him. "You have scannedit all."

"Then go away."

"Do you admit now that it cannot be done, that you cannot be a Man?"

"No. I have much processing and formulating to do now. Go away."

So he did.

A year passed; then two, then three.

After five years, Mordel appeared once more upon the horizon,approached, came to a halt before Frost's southern surface.

"Mighty Frost?"

"Yes?"

"Have you finished processing and formulating?"

"No."

"Will you finish soon?"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. When is 'soon?' Define the term."

"Never mind. Do you still thik it can be done?"

"I still know _I_ can do it."

There was a week of silence.

Then, "Frost?"

"Yes?"

"You are a fool."

Mordel faced his turret in the direction from which he had come. Hiswheels turned.

"I will call you when I want you," said Frost.

Mordel sped away.

Weeks passed, months passed, a year went by.

Then one day Frost sent forth his message:

"Mordel, come to me. I need you."

When Mordel arrived, Frost did not wait for a salutation. He said,"You are not a very fast machine."

"Alas, but I came a great distance, mighty Frost. I sped all the way.Are you ready to come back with me now? Have you failed?"

"When I have failed, little Mordel," said Frost, "I will tell you.

Therefore, refrain from the constant use of the interrogative. Nowthen, I have clocked your speed and it is not so great as it could be.