"Do you mind discussing yourself?"
"I'd prefer not—though if you ask me a question that I think is not too personal, I'll be glad to answer."
"Your I.Q. is 260, according to the register. If he is your immediate superior, what must his be?"
Rayne shook his head. "I don't really know," he answered. "Your Terran method of rating intelligence is based upon age. Since your age is based upon a purely Terran concept, we could not possibly rate our intelligence on your basis, until we encounter your machines. Frankly, I'd say his was higher—but you shall see."
Gerd stopped Andrew at the door to his library. "Wait," he said. "I'll see if Yord is willing to see you."
"If he isn't?"
"I'll be as persuasive as I can. I think he may be interested when I inform him that you have artificially increased your I.Q. to my level."
"You think so?"
"I know so. However, Andrew, it will not be a productive interest. Your means is still artificial and not to be assumed adequate."