Window stood up. “You’re right, of course. In a way, maybe we were afraid of learning too much,” he said slowly. “A lot of this has to do with the training. We do many things because of it that we don’t understand. We’ve been content to do them, and let it go at that, I suppose. We began the training—or it was begun—about three years after the original party arrived—and in a most peculiar manner.

“Wait a minute,” he said, “And I’ll show you another tape that you’ll find even more informative.” He paused, then continued. “Proteus, your attitude had a lot to do with our secrecy, too. You were upset enough about your own situation, of course: running away, the search, the new surroundings. But more than that, you were shocked by the little you did learn about us. Your reaction to Story was a good example. We knew you were uneasy about our abilities, and I ‘saw’ that you weren’t ready.”

“I’m sorry I was so skeptical,” Proteus said. “I didn’t mean to hurt Story’s feelings.”

“That’s another thing,” Window said. “I had her to think about. She’s in the middle of her training, and she’s never come up against doubts like that before. They can be ruinous. But here—this is a later tape. Three years later.”

The sound and video returned. This time Bradwick stood in a room lined with stone slabs piled sideways on rock ledges. Bradwick was obviously older, yet in another way he looked more vigorous. His voice had an added assurance. A baby about two years old sat on the stone floor. Just as the camera focused on Bradwick, the child began to toddle about.

“The date is June 17, 2211,” Bradwick said. “We all know it—I doubt we’ll ever forget it—but our descendants might be interested. To save equipment we only tape on the most important occasions, and this is one of them. Rather than tell what happened, I’m letting my brother’s child unknowingly demonstrate. At least we hope he’ll do what he did earlier in the day. Please watch. The camera will be aimed at the baby. And just a hint here. We’ve left some of these stone tablets loose on the floor. We’re hoping that the boy will go over to them as he did about an hour ago.”

Proteus watched expectantly and somewhat impatiently while Window sat there smiling quietly, and offering no information. The baby crawled about, half-stood, fell down, got to his feet again, laughed, got up. “What does he do?” Proteus asked. “Just tell me so I’ll know what to watch for.”