must be directed to other duties'. And as if by a miracle did appear manna in the form of mysterious packets of magic powders bearing upon them legends which promised wonderous refreshing draughts when Automat should come to perform the miracle of transformation. And they were ceremoniously carried to a place of safe keeping to await the coming of Automat.
Then did the great Automat appear, and as it was commanded that the Tabernacle in which he should rest must be supplied with mysterious facilities named plumbing, those members of the tribe whose duty it was to wander abroad spreading the gospel of the tribe to the unbelievers and waverers had perforce to vacate their place of rest that it might be purified and made into a Tabernacle.
Thus did Automat appear, but the hand maiden had perforce still to carry out the rites of Kettle and Pot far the Acolyte of Automat did not appear to carry out the rites of connecting-up, and Automat did remain silent. And matters did remain so until one day an emissary from the suppliers of manna did appear to the chief scribe, saying `You have not sent up prayers asking for further supplies, therefore have ye received none! And the chief scribe replied that none was needed, as the connecting-up ceremony had not yet been carried out. And the emissary did wax exceeding wrath, and departed, saying that one would appear on the

morrow to carry out the ceremony. And as had been promised, one did appear on the dawn of the following day, and the great ceremony of connecting-up was perforce carried out.
And when the ceremony was completed he departed saying `Now make ye sacrifices to Automat, and in return ye will receive great benefactions in the form of wholesome and refreshing beverages'. But the people of the tribe were unable to make sacrifice, for Automat would not accept their offerings, requiring only strange tokens known as d., whereas the tokens the tribe used for commerce were new tokens known as p. And as in the meantime the hand maiden of Kettle and Pot had spake unto one of the attendants of Kettle and Pot saying `Lo we require the juice of the cow no longer, for Automat will henceforth provide all' the members of the tribe had perforce to abstain from the rites of brew-up. And they did mutter amongst themselves, saying `We will henceforth desert the tents of the tribe and worship in the temples of snack-bar and coffeehouse'.
But the chief scribe sent urgent messengers to the Acolyte of Automat, saying `Your idol Automat will not accept our sacrifices, and the people do murmur amongst themselves and wander abroad. Therefore you must remove Automat and supply us with an idol which will accept our sacrifices'. And the Acolyte did visit the tribe again, and with wonderous

implements bearing names such as spanner and screw-driver he did perform miracles which resulted in Automat accepting the offerings of the people. And departed again, saying `Rejoice for now are your troubles over, and Automat will serve you faithfully unto the end of your days'.
And the people did wonder at these marvellous happenings but through fear did not approach Automat. Then one who was braver than the rest did approach and make offering to Automat. And there was a great sound as of the skies rending apart and pillars of smoke did issue from Automat. But sustenance did not appear. Then did the chief scribe again send messages to the Acolyte saying thus, `Lo the rest of our days are soon numbered, for scarce had you departed hence than Automat did make wrathful noises upon sacrifice being made, but yet did not deliver forth benefactions'. And the Acolyte did appear again, and after divers rites named adjustments did declare Automat to be ready once more to receive the sacrifices of the people.
And so it came to pass that the people of the tribe do make twice daily pilgrimages to the Tabernacle of Automat to offer up sacrifice in return for sustenance, but be it noted that these sacrifices between one Sabbath and the next now number some 20p whereas in the days of Kettle and Pot the hand maiden had demanded only 9p for the same period.