Я, Робот

           StillHerbiespoke,andtherewasagitationinhisvoice–asifhewerehurtandfrightenedandpleading.

           Thewordswerebeginningtomakesense."Thisisadream,"hewassaying,"andyoumustn’tbelieveinit.You’llwakeintotherealworldsoonandlaughatyourself.Helovesyou,Itellyou.Hedoes,hedoes!Butnothere!Notnow!Thisisanillusion."

           SusanCalvinnodded,hervoiceawhisper,"Yes!Yes!"ShewasclutchingHerbie’sarm,clingingtoit,repeatingoverandover,"Itisn’ttrue,isit?Itisn’t,isit?"

           Justhowshecametohersenses,sheneverknew–butitwaslikepassingfromaworldofmistyunrealitytooneofharshsunlight.Shepushedhimawayfromher,pushedhardagainstthatsteelyarm,andhereyeswerewide.

           "Whatareyoutryingtodo?"Hervoicerosetoaharshscream."Whatareyoutryingtodo?"

           Herbiebackedaway,"Iwanttohelp"

           Thepsychologiststared,"Help?Bytellingmethisisadream?Bytryingtopushmeintoschizophrenia?"Ahystericaltensenessseizedher,"Thisisnodream!Iwishitwere!"

           Shedrewherbreathsharply,"Wait!Why...why,Iunderstand.MercifulHeavens,it’ssoobvious."

           Therewashorrorintherobot’svoice,"Ihadto!"

           "AndIbelievedyoulIneverthought-"

           Loudvoicesoutsidethedoorbroughthertoahalt.Sheturnedaway,fistsclenchingspasmodically,andwhenBogertandLanningentered,shewasatthefarwindow.Neitherofthemenpaidhertheslightestattention.

           TheyapproachedHerbiesimultaneously;Lanningangryandimpatient,Bogert,coollysardonic.Thedirectorspokefirst.