Я, Робот

           "Youknow,Isuppose,"shecontinued,"justexactlyatwhatpointintheassemblyanextraneousfactorwasintroducedoranessentialoneleftout."

           "Yes,"saidHerbie,intonesbarelyheard.

           "Holdon,"brokeinBogertangrily."That’snotnecessarytrue.Youwanttohearthat,that’sall."

           "Don’tbeafool,"repliedCalvin."HecertainlyknowsasmuchmathasyouandLanningtogether,sincehecanreadminds.Givehimhischance."

           Themathematiciansubsided,andCalvincontinued,"Allright,then,Herbie,give!We’rewaiting."Andinanaside,"Getpencilsandpaper,gentlemen."

           ButHerbieremainedsilent,andtherewastriumphinthepsychologist’svoice,"Whydon’tyouanswer,Herbie?"

           Therobotblurtedoutsuddenly,"Icannot.YouknowIcannot!Dr.BogertandDr.Lanningdon’twantmeto."

           "Theywantthesolution."

           "Butnotfromme."

           Lanningbrokein,speakingslowlyanddistinctly,"Don’tbefoolish,Herbie.Wedowantyoutotellus."

           Bogertnoddedcurtly.

           Herbie’svoicerosetowildheights,"What’stheuseofsayingthat?Don’tyousupposethatIcanseepastthesuperficialskinofyourmind?Downbelow,youdon’twantmeto.I’mamachine,giventheimitationoflifeonlybyvirtueofthepositronicinterplayinmybrain-whichisman’sdevice.Youcan’tlosefacetomewithoutbeinghurt.Thatisdeepinyourmindandwon’tbeerased.Ican’tgivethesolution."

           "We’llleave,"saidDr.Lanning."TellCalvin."