er
that he'd composed in his mind in the liner on Krim. He managed to make
one copy, unaddressed, of the public-relations letter that he'd worked
out at the same time. He put it through a facsimile machine and managed
to address each of fifty copies. Then he yawned uncontrollably.

He still yawned when he went to take leave of the leader of the people
of Colin. That person regarded him with warm eyes.

"I think everything's all right," said Hoddan exhaustedly. "You've got a
dozen machine shops and they are multiplying themselves, and you have
got some enthusiastic mechanics, now, who're drinking in the vision-tape
stuff and finding out more than they guessed there was. And they're
thinking, now and then, for themselves. I think you'll make out."

The bearded man said humbly:

"I have waited until you said all was well. Will you come with us?"

"No-o-o," said Hoddan. He yawned again. "I've got my work here. There's
an ... obligation I have to meet."

"It must be very admirable work," said the old man wistfully. "I wish we
had some young men like you among us."

"You have," said Hoddan. "They will be giving you trouble presently."

The old man shook his head, looking at Hoddan very affectionately
indeed.

"We will deliver your letters," he said warmly. "First to Krim, and then
to Walden. Then we will go on and let down your letter and gift to your
grandfather on Zan. Then we will go on toward Thetis. Our mechanics will
work at building machines while we are in overdrive. But also they will
build new tool shops and train new mechanics, so that every so often we
will need to come out of overdrive to transfer the tools and the men to
new ships."

Hoddan nodded exhaustedly. This was right.

"So," said the old man contentedly, "we will simply make those transfers
in orbit about the planets for which we have your letters. But you will
pardon us if we only let down your letters, and do not visit those
planets? We have prejudices--"

"Perfectly satisfactory," said Hoddan. "So I'll--"

"The mechanics you have trained," said the old man proudly, "have made a
little ship ready for you. It is not much larger than your spaceboat,
but it is fit for travel between suns, which will be convenient for your
work. I hope you will accept it. There is even a tiny tool shop on it!"

Hoddan would have been more touched if he hadn't known about it. But one
of the men entrusted with the job had harassedly asked him for advice.
He