Lowndes stared in amazement. Nestor's deep thought processes never failed to fascinate him. As he watched, abruptly all the lights cut out. The relays gave a final "clack." For a minute there was silence. Then Nestor spoke: "Master, I have converted a majority of the holdings ... yet five hundred cash kredits remain in Central National Repository. Under provisions of section four, paragraph seven, sub-paragraph eighteen of the Quarto Code, this amount could be carried to the ledgers as a gift to you, deductible. Your signature would not be required for the cash transfer." Lowndes eyes gleamed. "I'm proud of you, Nestor. How long will it take to get the kredits?" "Master, as I mentioned, I have converted all but--" "For pete's sake Nestor, I've got to have those kredits by seven tonight!" "Master, please! Allow me to explain the disposition of the converted assets. I am certain that we are facing a recession comparable to that suffered by the ancients in the twenty-ninth year of the twentieth century. Therefore, I have withdrawn--" Again Lowndes broke in. "Look, Nestor, tell me later. Let's get the five hundred!" "Perhaps we should reconsider, Master. Even though legal, this action is irregular." "Reconsider! Whadya mean, reconsider! You figured it out, didn't you? Nestor, someday you'll blow your tubes from worry. Now how about getting those kredits!" "All right, Master. I shall go." The robot shuffled from the study, his tempite joints creaking with age. * * * * *