Я, Робот

           Doyousupposeitdoesn’tknoweverythingaboutmentalinjury?Doyousupposethatifaskedaquestion,itwouldn’tgiveexactlythatanswerthatonewantstohear?Wouldn’tanyotheranswerhurtus,andwouldn’tHerbieknowthat?"

           "GoodHeavens!"mutteredBogert.

           Thepsychologistcastasardonicglanceathim,"ItakeityouaskedhimwhetherLanninghadresigned.Youwantedtohearthathehadresignedandsothat’swhatHerbietoldyou."

           "AndIsupposethatiswhy,"saidLanning,tonelessly,"itwouldnotansweralittlewhileago.Itcouldn’tanswereitherwaywithouthurtingoneofus."

           Therewasashortpauseinwhichthemenlookedthoughtfullyacrosstheroomattherobot,crouchinginthechairbythebookcase,headrestinginonehand.

           SusanCalvinstaredsteadfastlyatthefloor,"Heknewofallthis.That...thatdevilknowseverything–includingwhatwentwronginhisassembly."Hereyesweredarkandbrooding.

           Lanninglookedup,"You’rewrongthere,Dr.Calvin.Hedoesn’tknowwhatwentwrong.Iaskedhim."

           "Whatdoesthatmean?"criedCalvin."Onlythatyoudidn’twanthimtogiveyouthesolution.Itwouldpunctureyouregotohaveamachinedowhatyoucouldn’t.Didyouaskhim?"sheshotatBogert.

           "Inaway."Bogertcoughedandreddened."Hetoldmeheknewverylittleaboutmathematics."

           Lanninglaughed,notveryloudlyandthepsychologistsmiledcaustically.Shesaid,"I’llaskhim!Asolutionbyhimwon’thurtmyego"Sheraisedhervoiceintoacold,imperative,"Comehere!"

           Herbieroseandapproachedwithhesitantsteps.