“So how are we doing?” she asked. The question was ambiguous. “I mean—” “I know. It took you many years from receipt of the Message to your arrival here.” “Do you grade on speed or accuracy?” “Neither.” “You mean we haven’t completed the Test yet?” He did not answer. “Well, explain it to me.” She said this in some distress. “Some of us have spent years decrypting the Message and building the Machine. Aren’t you going to tell me what it’s all about?”
