‘Gentlemen, I repeat that much may be learned from this boy and girl.’
‘If only,’ breathed an Executive softly, ‘mechanicos could create other mechanicos as the animals give birth to other animals, it would save a great deal of raw material.’
‘Some day, perhaps, we may manage that,’ answered the Sorcerer casually. Then he turned to the children. ‘Come on, Raphael and Cassandra, I want to show you the rest of the city before dark.’
They all bowed politely to one another.
Mechanus, Raphael, and Cassandra left Big Business Building and took a taxicab for the outskirts of the city. While they were being jerked along at a tremendous speed, Raphael asked the Sorcerer if they made any child mechanicos.
‘Goodness, no,’ answered Mechanus. ‘Childhood is nothing but waste. A child mechanico could not do the work of a man, and he would drink almost as much oil.’
‘Don’t mechanicos have any fun at all?’
‘A mechanico,’ said Mechanus, ‘doesn’t know what fun is.’
‘I’m glad I’m not a mechanico,’ said Cassandra.
‘Are you, my dear?’ said Mechanus and gave her a queer look.