Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 55: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE WAITABITS 53 “A public library.” “That’s the place to dig up information. How much did you get?” “One item only,” Leigh admitted with reluctance. ‘““Their printed language is ideographic and employs at least three thousand characters.”’ ‘““There’s a big help,” said Pascoe, casting an appealing glance heaven- ward. ““Any competent linguist or trained communicator should be able to learn it from them, Put Hoffnagle on the job. He’s the youngest among us and all he needs is a couple of thousand years.”’ The radio burped, winked its red eye, and the operator switched it on. Shallom’s voice came through. “Commodore, an important-looking specimen has just arrived in what he probably thinks of as a racing car. It may be that he’s a bigwig appointed to make contact with us. That’s only our guess but we’re trying to get con- firmation of it. I thought you’d like to know.” ‘““How’s progress with him?” ‘“No better than with the others. Possibly he’s the smartest boy in college. Nevertheless, Nolan estimates it will take most of a month to convince him that Mary had a little lamb.”’ “Well, keep trying. We'll be returning shortly.” The receiver cut off and Leigh added to the others, ““That sounds like the road-hog we passed on the way here.” He nudged the driver, pointed leftward. “That looks like a sizable factory. Stop outside while I inspect it.”’ He entered unopposed, came out after a few minutes, told them, “It’s a combined flour-mill, processing and packaging plant. They’re grinding up a mountain of nut-kernels, probably from surrounding forests. They’ve a pair of big engines down in the basement that beat me. Never seen anything like them. I think Pll get Bentley to come and look them over. He’s the expert on power supplies.” ‘Big place for a mill, isn’t it?’’ ventured Harding. ““They’re converting the flour into about twenty forms. I took a lick at some of it.” “What did it taste like?” ‘“Bill-sticker’s paste.” He nudged the driver again. ““There’s another joint.”” Then to Harding, ““You come with me.” Five minutes later they returned and said, “Boots, shoes and slippers. And they’re making them fast.” ““Fast?’”’ echoed Pascoe, twitching his eyebrows. “Faster than they can follow the process themselves. The whole layout is fully automatic and self-arresting if anything goes wrong. Not quite as good as we’ve got on Earth but not so far behind, either.” Leigh sat with pursed lips, musing as he gazed through the windshield. “I’m going back to the ship. You fellows can come for further exploration if you wish.” None of them registered enthusiasm. There was a signal waiting on the desk, decoded and typed. C.0O. Flame to C.O. Thunderer. Atmosphere Pulok analyzed good in fact healthy. So instruments insist. Noses say has abominable stench peyane ConmicloolkS.conn