Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 41 — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

Humans had something... and one of the Masters thought it was good... The High Predictor was getting old. Nearing the end of his ten thousand years, he was becoming slower in his decisions. The Acolyte was far too awed to allow any direct criticism to creep into ‘his own mind; but somewhere in the back of his thoughts was a vague idea that the great man was getting rather feeble. 3 There was all this sentimen- tality over that little planet, Earth, for example... “*T shall be sorry,” said the High Predictor, “‘to give up my work. Dissolution comes to all of us, and [ am not complaining. But I am sorry. Sorry not to be able to watch over the destinies of those human beings down there. Their progress has been fasci- nating, you know—truly fascinating.” “Yes, Eminence,” said the Acolyte, respectfully. ‘“‘To have watched over them for sO many generations “ “I shall always be glad that my interest was aroused in this corner of the galaxy. So many of my colleagues, 99 you know, wanted to dismiss this little solar system as unimportant.” “Yes, I know.” The Aco- lyte had heard this story more than once. “It looks so small and un- imposing, does it not? It is nothing, compared with the powerful systems of Al- debaran or Betelgeuse. Only one inhabited planet—not worthy of our attention, you might say? But the work I have done on it in my spare time has more than repaid me. ] have become very fond of this world.” The Acolyte tried not to look shocked. Affection for the races under the guidance of the Predictors was a thing to be frowned on. Personal detachment was one of the first laws. He said, tentatively: ““There are few possibilities of.devel- opment, are there, Eminence? Earth will not at any time threaten the balance of the galaxies in the way that Antares did; and its philo- sophical systems show no sign of producing the fruitful conmicloooks.comn