NOXUS PODUNKUS
(Rising on one elbow and rubbing his eyes.) What! What! More? What have we here? The Union Astronomers, you say? The Federated College Philosophers? Excellent! A fine body of men, indeed! And, as you say, the universe is moral. Very, very, very moral. One of the most moral universes I have ever known. (Scratches an ear and sinks into his cushions, but the nearest Dizzards lift him up.)
SHISHMASH HASH HASH
(Excitedly touching his toes with his hands nine times.) The Questions, your Noble Referendunce! The Sacred Questions!
NOXUS PODUNKUS
(Heavily and benignly.) Ah, yes! Ah, yes! The Sacred Questions! It is not intention, but memory, that seems to fail me. Quite so—the Sacred Questions! (He takes one of fifty plates offered him and examines it closely.) Ah yes! Here it is! One of the most significant and wonderful questions that has ever been planned, I think, to ease our minds and comfort us. (Reads.) Question Nine: “Is it not true that the universe is ordained for Truth, Justice, Virtue, Mercy, Tenderness, Purity?” (His voice trails off in utter exhaustion.)
THE SEVEN THOUSAND UNION ASTRONOMERS
(Doing a light come-all-ye and waving red bandana handkerchiefs.)
It is! It is! We know! We know!
The stars we see, they tell us so!