ing to chance complete exposure without first find- 

 ing out whether the coast is clear. 



Hello! ... I nearly missed that. A head glis- 

 tening with spectral orange and fringed with 

 saffron appendages appeared in the opening; 

 quickly and with precision it placed a rough block 

 of lapis lazuli on the rim, cemented it and disap- 

 peared . . . The operation was so swift and un- 

 expected that I had no time to catch the details; 

 but I have learned what patience will bring, so I 

 determine to wait. 



Again the opportunity comes. Not exactly 

 sooner than expected; nevertheless it comes with 

 a suddenness as marked as in the first instance. 

 The worm reappears, sets its stone in a twinkling 

 and is gone almost before I am aware of what is 

 happening. Successive operations in this building 

 business tell me no more. Always the material is 

 deposited with such despatch that the eye is help- 

 less; only a slow-motion camera could record its 

 continuity. It is exasperatirig; none the less, its 

 behavior is admirable. In the background of what 

 passes for its thoughts, there is doubtless knowl- 

 edge of a kind that any lingering over its task 



[139] 



