unny
side of the house. But the whole universe is his home."

"That's the thing I've been trying to say," Ken answered. "We can know
this without being afraid."

Maria's father nodded. "Yes. Fear is of no use to anyone. Awe, respect,
admiration, wonder, humility--these are all necessary. But not fear."

Maria turned from the group. "I'll bring the stamps, Ken," she said.

"Won't you come in and have some cake?" Mrs. Larsen asked.

"No, thanks. Mother fed us before we left my place. I'm afraid I
couldn't eat any more."

In a moment Maria was back. "Here are two whole sheets," she said. "I
hope that will be enough."

"Plenty. I'll see you get repaid tomorrow. Good night, everybody."

"Good night, Ken."

He moved down the walk toward his car and got in. When he pressed die
starter button the engine groaned for a few seconds and came to a
complete stop. He tried again; there was only a momentary, protesting
grind.

Ken got out and raised the hood and leaned over the engine in disgusted
contemplation. There was no visible clue to the cause of the trouble.

"Is your battery dead?" Professor Larsen called.

"No. It's something else." Ken slammed the hood harder than he had
intended. "I'll have to leave it here overnight and pick it up in the
morning."

"I can push you home with my car, or at least give you a ride."

"No, please don't bother," Ken said. "I'll tow it home with Dad's car
tomorrow. I'd just as soon walk, now. It's only a few blocks."

"As you wish. Good night, Ken."

"Good night, Professor."

* * * * *

Ken's clock radio woke him the next morning. He reached over to shut off
the newscast it carried. There was only one item any commentator talked
about now, the comet. Ken wondered how they could get away with a
repetition of the same thing, over and over, but they seemed able to get
an audience as long as they kept the proper tone of semi-hysteria in
their voices.

As his hand touched the dial to switch it off, something new caught
Ken's attention. "A curious story is coming in from all parts of the
country this morning," the announcer said. "Auto mechanics are reporting
a sudden, unusually brisk business. No one knows the reason, but there
seems to be a virtual epidemic of car breakdowns. Some garagemen are
said to be blaming new additives in gasoline and lubricating oil. It is
reported that one major oil company is undertaking an investigation of
these charg