polite, in single file, one after another, and immediately began to look into all corners. Of course, they all saw. Otherwise, why would Gladys immediately began to inquire whether Larry was at home? And Claire had no choice but to hold on defiantly and with challenge.

Yes, Larry is not at home. When is it coming back? Maybe tomorrow. No, I did not miss him at all. Not at all bored. What are you, I had a great time.

She laughed at them. Why not? What could they do to her? Larry will understand what's the matter, even if the whole story reaches him.

But they were not laughing!

Claire saw evidence of this - in the rage that burned Gladys' eyes, in her laughter, in how quickly she got home. Seeing the others, Claire managed to hear someone envious and admiring whisper:

- Wow, what a handsome man!

Well, let them let them know - yes, she may not be as beautiful as Gladys Kleffern, and not so rich, but no one, no one in the world, has such a beautiful lover!

And here she again, again, again remembered that Tony was only a machine. Claire went cold and shouted into the emptiness of the living room - wildly, helplessly:

- Go away !!! Leave me!!!

Claire locked herself in the bedroom and cried all night. And in the morning, before dawn, while there were no pedestrians on the streets, a car arrived and drove Tony away.

Lawrence Belmont walked past the door of Dr. Rye's office and, without knowing why, knocked. He found Peter Bogert in the office of the mathematician, but this did not bother him at all.

- Claire told me that the company paid for everything that was done in our house ...

“Yes,” Susan Rai nodded. - We went to these costs, considering them necessary for the successful completion of the experiment. But the order about your appointment as chief engineer has already been signed, so I hope your financial situation will allow you to manage your new home now?

- I am not talking about that. Once Washington has agreed to the official conduct of the experiments, we can in less than a year later acquire our own TN-3 model.

He hesitantly turned to the door, but came back.

Susan Rai hurried him:

“Well, what else, Mr. Belmont?”

“I would like to understand ...” Larry began in embarrassment. - I would like to understand what happened. She ... I want to say - Claire, so changed! It's not just her appearance, although, frankly, I'm amazed.

He laughed nervously.

- That's not her. This is not my wife - I find it difficult to explain.

- Why explain? Are you disappointed with the changes?

- Oh, that you, on the contrary. But it is ... a little scary, you know?

“I wouldn't worry so much if I were you, Mr. Belmont.” Your wife behaved immaculately. To be honest, I didn’t even expect the experiment to be so successful. Thanks to him, we now know exactly what changes need to be introduced into the design of the TN-3 model, and this merit is entirely due to Mrs. Belmont. If you want me to be frank with you to the end, then I will say that your promotion is more of your wife’s merit than our own.

Larry winced.

- Well, this is a family matter ... - he muttered and quickly retired.

Susan Rye stared at the door behind him for a long time.

“It seems the shot hit the target, I hope ... Did you read the report Tony, Peter?”

“From cover to cover,” answered Bogert. - And, in my opinion, the TN-3 model needs serious refinement.

- Oh, and you think that? And why do you think so?

Bogert frowned.

- What does my opinion mean? It is clear as daylight — we cannot release robots that twist love with their mistresses.

- Love! - sniffed Susan. - Peter, you surprise me. Do you not understand? The robot must satisfy the owner. He could not allow a person to be harmed, and Claire Belmont was hurt herself by her own inferiority complex.So he played the love scene: what woman does not flinch from the consciousness that she was able to awaken the passion in the car - a cold, unfeeling car! And that evening, he also opened the curtains on purpose so that the guests could see the spicy scene and envy - and at the same time there was no risk for Claire's marital happiness. I think here Tony just surpassed himself ...

- You think so? But what's the difference whether he pretended or not? Anyway, this is not permissible. Re-read the report again. She avoided him. She screamed when he hugged her. She didn't close her eyes last night. She had a tantrum. Do we have the right to allow such things?

“Peter, you're blind.” As blind as I once was. Model "TN-3" will be seriously redone, but not for this reason. Just the opposite. Strange just how I did not immediately guess ...

Susan's gaze became distantly thoughtful.

“But this is about my own shortcomings.” You see, Peter, cars can't fall in love. But women can do it - even when it’s so scary and completely hopeless!