THE VERDICT TO BE PASSED on the third planet around Sol was never indoubt. The Old Ones of the fourth planet were not omniscient and in theirway were as provincial as humans. Grokking by their own local values, evenwith the aid of vastly superior logic, they were certain in time to perceive anincurable .wrongness“ in the busy, restless, quarrelsome beings of the thirdplanet, a wrongness which would require weeding, once it had been grokkedand cherished and hated.

　　But, by the time that they would slowly get around to it, it would be highlyimprobable approaching impossible that the Old Ones would be able todestroy this weirdly complex race. The hazard was slight that thoseconcerned with the third planet did not waste a split eon on it.

　　Certainly Foster did not. .Digby!“His assistant looked up. .Yes, Foster?“.I’ll be gone a few eons on a special ass............