Я, Робот

           Gloriaregainedherbreath,submittedtoaseriesofpassionatehugsonthepartofbothherparentsandturnedeagerlytowardRobbie.Asfarasshewasconcerned,nothinghadhappenedexceptthatshehadfoundherfriend.

           ButMrs.Weston’sexpressionhadchangedfromoneofrelieftooneofdarksuspicion.Sheturnedtoherhusband,and,despiteherdisheveledandundignifiedappearance,managedtolookquiteformidable,"Youengineeredthis,didn’tyou?

           GeorgeWestonswabbedatahotforeheadwithhishandkerchief.Hishandwasunsteady,andhislipscouldcurveonlyintoatremulousandexceedinglyweaksmile.

           Mrs.Westonpursuedthethought,"Robbiewasn’tdesignedforengineeringorconstructionwork.Hecouldn’tbeofanyusetothem.YouhadhimplacedtheredeliberatelysothatGloriawouldfindhim.Youknowyoudid."

           "Well,Idid,"saidWeston."But,Grace,howwasItoknowthereunionwouldbesoviolent?AndRobbiehassavedherlife;you’llhavetoadmitthat.Youcan’tsendhimawayagain."

           GraceWestonconsidered.SheturnedtowardGloriaandRobbieandwatchedthemabstractedlyforamoment.Gloriahadagripabouttherobot’sneckthatwouldhaveasphyxiatedanycreaturebutoneofmetal,andwasprattlingnonsenseinhalf-hystericalfrenzy.Robbie’schromesteelarms(capableofbendingabarofsteeltwoinchesindiameterintoapretzel)woundaboutthelittlegirlgentlyandlovingly,andhiseyesglowedadeep,deepred.

           "Well,"saidMrs.Weston,atlast,"Iguesshecanstaywithusuntilherusts."