Я, Робот
Little Lost Robot
Hisstockystrengthseemedstrivingforreleaseandhisfingers,astheytwistedeachotherwithnervousyanks,mighthaveforcedanironbaroutoftrue.
Major-generalKallnersatbesidehim,thetwofromU.S.Robotsfacedhim.
Blacksaid,"I’mtoldthatIwasthelasttoseeNestor10beforehevanished.Itakeityouwanttoaskmeaboutthat."
Dr.Calvinregardedhimwithinterest,"Yousoundasifyouwerenotsure,youngman.Don’tyouknowwhetheryouwerethelasttoseehim?"
"Heworkedwithme,ma’am,onthefieldgenerators,andhewaswithmethemorningofhisdisappearance.Idon’tknowifanyonesawhimafteraboutnoon.Nooneadmitshavingdoneso."
"Doyouthinkanyone’slyingaboutit?"
"Idon’tsaythat.ButIdon’tsaythatIwanttheblameofit,either."Hisdarkeyessmoldered.
"There’snoquestionofblame.Therobotactedasitdidbecauseofwhatitis.We’rejusttryingtolocateit,Mr.Black,andlet’sputeverythingelseaside.Nowifyou’veworkedwiththerobot,youprobablyknowitbetterthananyoneelse.Wasthereanythingunusualaboutitthatyounoticed?Hadyoueverworkedwithrobotsbefore?"
"I’veworkedwithotherrobotswehavehere–thesimpleones.NothingdifferentabouttheNestorsexceptthatthey’reagooddealcleverer–andmoreannoying."
"Annoying?Inwhatway?"
"Well-perhapsit’snottheirfault.Theworkhereisroughandmostofusgetalittlejagged.Foolingaroundwithhyper-spaceisn’tfun."Hesmiledfeebly,findingpleasureinconfession.
