“It’s amazing,” declared the Dinosaur, setting down the worn chess piece, “what one can do with 26 letters.”

“Indeed; there are many possible combinations,” murmured the Mathematician with a distinct air of indifference. “Not that I care. That’s the scribe’s duty, in my opinion.”

“My dear sir!” The Dinosaur was shocked. “No-one cares what you care.”

“That’s so.”

The mathematician inclined his head thoughtfully.

“Shall you be wanting your tea now, then?”

“Absolutely not. Tea is for Wimps.”

“Well then, what do you want?”

“I want you to take your turn, Pythagoras. Then you can take a look at this.”

As it happened, “this” was a newspaper article. The Mathematician scanned it with great care.

LOCAL SOLDIER CONDEMNS ALPHABET

“Oh, for crying out loud, Your Majesty, I-”

“You don’t care. I get it.”

The Dinosaur sighed.

“Get back to your numerals, Pythagoras. I bid you good day.”