“If they find it,” he began, “if they find it⁠ ⁠… what will they do with it? Well, that’s a question. It may be that’s the question. They won’t understand it, anyhow. If they understood that sort of thing they would have come long since to the earth. Would they? Why shouldn’t they? But they would have sent something⁠—They couldn’t keep their hands off such a possibility. No! But they will examine it. Clearly they are intelligent and inquisitive. They will examine it⁠—get inside it⁠—trifle with the studs. Off!⁠ ⁠… That would mean the moon for us for all the rest of our lives. Strange creatures, strange knowledge.⁠ ⁠…”

“As for strange knowledge⁠—” said I, and language failed me.

“Look here, Bedford,” said Cavor, “you came on this expedition of your own free will.”

“You said to me, ‘Call it prospecting.’ ”

“There’s always risks in prospecting.”