"You are restless, sir," said the cabinet from the other room.

"Not restless," Bishop said. "Just thinking."

"I can supply you with a sedative. A very mild and pleasant sedative."

"Not a sedative," said Bishop.

"Then, perhaps," the cabinet said, "you would permit me to sing you a lullaby."

"By all means," said Bishop. "A lullaby is just the thing I need."

So the cabinet sang him a lullaby, and after a time Bishop went to sleep.

12

The Kimonian goddess at the Employment Bureau told him next morning that there was a job for him.

"A new family," she said.