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“I a rather dense “It is the function of a Prince—value A—to killorder—value C—anda steady supply of maidens—value D If one inserts the derivative of value A (Prince) into the equation y equals BC plus CD squared, and sets it equal to zero, giving the apex of the parabola, namely, the point of intersection between A (Prince) and B (Monster), one deterdom It is all very coraph it for you”

“Ah, raphical charts with scribbling equations, “but Beast is not a obble up maidens like cucumber sandwiches He keeps to himself like any civilized Beast”

“But he is quite ugly?” the Prince insisted

“I think he is a fine fellow, but soht consider him homely, yes”

“And he smells foul?”

“Well, I cannot argue with you there—one ought not to stand doind!”

“And he does have a terrible jaw of bone, and great tall horns?”

“Yes, yes, you’ve got Beast, all right!”

“Then he is a monster!” the Prince crowed, “and I must slay him at once The Formula works!”

“Your For,” I mused

“Oh, yes, when applied correctly hty and noble battles result! Of course I alin—the value of Prince X is a constant It cannot be lesser than that of Monster Y—this is the Moral Superiority Hypothesis o byWe have never seen his equal, in all these centuries”

“Of that I have no doubt”

“If that is all, I believe Ihis sword experiiving the blade a great swing over his head “For each time a monster is

killed, the Hypothesis is Proven”

“How jolly of you to give it such a… civilized name But I cannot allow it”