Я, Робот

           Robbiemadeasemi-circleintheairwithonefinger.

           Thelittlegirlprotested,"Again?I’vetoldyouCinderellaamilliontimes.Aren’tyoutiredofit?-It’sforbabies."

           Anothersemi-circle.

           "Oh,well,"Gloriacomposedherself,ranoverthedetailsofthetaleinhermind(togetherwithherownelaborations,ofwhichshehadseveral)andbegan:

           "Areyouready?Well–onceuponatimetherewasabeautifullittlegirlwhosenamewasElla.Andshehadaterriblycruelstep-motherandtwoveryuglyandverycruelstep-sistersand-"

           Gloriawasreachingtheveryclimaxofthetale–midnightwasstrikingandeverythingwaschangingbacktotheshabbyoriginalslickety-split,whileRobbielistenedtenselywithburningeyes–whentheinterruptioncame.

           "Gloria!"

           Itwasthehigh-pitchedsoundofawomanwhohasbeencallingnotonce,butseveraltimes;andhadthenervoustoneofoneinwhomanxietywasbeginningtoovercomeimpatience.

           "Mamma’scallingme,"saidGloria,notquitehappily."You’dbettercarrymebacktothehouse,Robbie."

           RobbieobeyedwithalacrityforsomehowtherewasthatinhimwhichjudgeditbesttoobeyMrs.Weston,withoutasmuchasascrapofhesitation.Gloria’sfatherwasrarelyhomeinthedaytimeexceptonSunday–today,forinstance–andwhenhewas,heprovedagenialandunderstandingperson.