The Thing gave the impression that it was thinking busily. At last it said: 'Do you still know the meaning of the words Flight Navigation and Recording Computer?' 'No,' said Masklin earnestly. 'None of them.' The light pattern moved.
'Do you know anything about interstellar travel?' 'No.' The box gave Masklin the distinct impression that it was very disappointed in him.
'Do you know you came here from a place far away?' it said.
'Oh, yes. We know that.' 'A place further than the moon.' 'Er.' Masklin hesitated. The journey bad taken a long time. It was always possible that they had gone past the moon. He had often seen it on the horizon, and he was certain that the lorry had gone further than that.
'Yes,' he said. 'Probably.' 'Language changes over the years,' said the Thing thoughtfully.
'Does it?' said Masklin politely.
What do you call this-planet?' 'I don't know what planet means, either,' said Masklin.
'An astronomical body.' Masklin looked blank.
'What is your name for this place?' 'It's called... the Store.' 'The store.' The lights moved, as if the Thing was thinking again.
'Young man, I don't want to stand here all day exchanging nonsense with the thing,' said Granny Morkie. What we need to do now is sort out where we're going and what we're going to do.' That's right,' said Torrit defiantly.
'Do you even remember that you are shipwrecked?' 'I'm Masklin,' said Masklin. 'I don't know who Shipwrecked is.' The lights changed again. Later, when he got to know the Thing better, Masklin always thought that particular pattern was its way of sighing deeply.
'My purpose is to serve you and guide you,' said the Thing.
'See?' said Torrit, who was feeling a bit out of things. 'We was right about that!' Masklin prodded the box. 'You've been keeping a bit quiet about it lately, then,' he said.