There was a moment of silence and Shiela's hand found its way to his. She sighed, "The harm's all been done now; people will never accept the roboes as anything but an animated calculating machine or 'electronic brain.' One or the other must fall." "I can't understand their inactivity," he puzzled. "With all of their created abilities, I had expected something devastating. After all, they were created for atomic and cosmic work and knew all that the best scientific brains in the world could teach them." "Did you ever stop to wonder if they wanted nothing but peace and would try to hide out or escape?" she asked. He stared at her, "Deep down inside you're hoping that they'll succeed, aren't you?" Shiela traced a long, slender finger around in the grass, not looking at him. "Oh, perhaps. Don't you wish something would happen that would allow them to escape, perhaps even to another world?" "But that's impossible!" "What of the space ships now being built secretly?" she reminded him. "The weight of necessary fuel to another planet would make it impossible for a space ship to take off." "Rocket fuel, yes. But what of the cosmic drive that father and you have been working on. Isn't it practically perfected now?" Stiffening, he asked, "Shiela! What in the world do you know about that? Why, even Stone himself wouldn't have mentioned it to you." She smiled brightly, laughter dancing from sparkling eyes. "So, it is true then." * * * * * As the realization that he had been tricked into the admission soaked in, Don's lower jaw dropped. He glanced quickly around, "I've said nothing," he told her, "and make sure that you don't repeat it. General Adams would like nothing better than an excuse to order me court-martialed." "But he couldn't; you're a civilian!" "Don't forget that all civil rights have been suspended until the roboes have been exterminated." Shiela's eyes dropped suddenly and she became sad. "Do you actually hate the roboes now?" she asked softly. Don was amazed, "Of course not; after all I helped to create them, you know. I've the greatest respect and admiration in the world for them. I still believe that they could have helped to advance man faster and further than he ever can himself." "Then why would it be treason to help the roboes escape, Don?" "Shiela, what in the world has come over you, talking like this? You know that it would be impossible; even if I wanted to." Tossing her head quickly, the girl changed moods in an instant. "You're right; I was just talking. Let's forget it all and go on a picnic this Sunday." She jumped to her feet. "Wait, Shiela." She stopped, inquiringly. "Yes." For a moment, words came with difficulty. "Well, you know that ever since I've started working for your father that I ... I mean you.... Damn it; you know how I feel about you, Shiela, and you didn't seem to object." "No, Don." "Then why can't we get married right away, sweetheart?"