"03 - Time Streams" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

imply I am a nothing man."

Teferi nodded seriously, though a smirk played about his

mouth. "We can't have that. Anyway, you aren't really a man.

You're an artifact. Arty would be a nice name for you. Arty

the Artifact."

The probe could not determine any reason to reject this

suggestion-aside from the chuckles of the students. "Arty is

a name used among humans?"

"Oh, yes," replied Teferi enthusiastically, "as a first

name, but most humans also have a last name. Let's see, you

are silver. What else is made of silver? Spoons are, and

since you are large, we ought to name you after the largest

spoon-a ladle, or perhaps a shovel. Thus, your full name

should be Arty Ladlepate or Arty Shovelhead."

These young folk seemed to giggle at any and every

suggestion made to them. The silver man became less

concerned about their amusement. "Whichever name sounds more

pleasant to human ears-"

"Oh, either name will bring a smile to anyone who hears

it. Still, Ladlepate sounds a little too uppity, as if you

were putting on airs. Shovelhead is much more accessible. I

vote for Arty Shovelhead. What say the rest of you?"

The gathered students cheered excitedly, and the silver

man could not help being swept up in the mood. At the

moment, any name seemed better than no name.