predict the behavior of the Nipe!" he said. "For
the fourth time in succession!"

"Great," Stanton said. "Congratulations, George. But how does that fit
in with the rule you once told me about? You know, the one about
experimental animals."

"Ah, yes," Yoritomo said, nodding his head agreeably. "The Harvard Law
of Animal Behavior. 'A genetically standardized strain, under precisely
controlled laboratory conditions, when subjected to carefully calibrated
stimuli, will behave as it damned well pleases.' Yes. Very true."

He held up a cautionary finger. "But an animal could not do otherwise,
could it? Only as it pleases. Could it do anything else? It could not
please to behave as something it is not, could it?"

"Draw me a picture," Stanton said.

"What I mean," Yoritomo said, "is that any organism is limited in its
choice of behavior. A hamster, for example, cannot choose to behave in
the manner of a rhesus monkey. A dog cannot choose to react as a mouse
would react. If I prick a white mouse with a needle, it may squeal or
bite or jump--but it will not bark. Never. Nor will it, under any
circumstances, leap to a trapeze, hang by its tail, and chatter curses
at me. Never."

Stanton chuckled, but he didn't comment.

"By observing an organism's reactions," the psychologist continued, "one
can begin to see a pattern. After long enough observation, the pattern
almost approaches certainty. If, for instance, I tell you that I put an
armful of hay into a certain animal's enclosure, and that the animal
trotted over, ate the hay, and brayed, then you will be able to tell me
with reasonable certainty whether or not the animal had long ears. Do
you see?"

"Sure. But you haven't been able to pinpoint the Nipe's activities that
easily yet, have you?" Stanton asked.

"Ah, no," said Yoritomo. "Not at all. That was merely an analogy, and we
must not make the mistake of carrying an analogy too far. The more
intelligent a creature is, the greater, in general, is its scope of
action. The Nipe is far from being so simple as a monkey or a hamster.
On the other hand--" He smiled widely, showing bright, white teeth.
"--he is not so bright as a human being."

"_What?_" Stanton looked at him skeptically. "I wouldn't say he was
exactly stupid, George. What about all those prize gadgets of his?" He
blinked. "Wipe the sweat off my forehead, will you? It's running into my
eyes."

Dr. Yoritomo wiped with the towel as he continued. "Ah, ye