Chapter 4 third chapter

She was really unhappy.Dors put her hands on her hips and leaned leisurely at the door of the apartment unit, waiting for him.She looked the same as when Seldon had first met her at this same university eight years earlier: slender, trim, with curly red-gold hair--a beauty to him, though objectively, She is not yet beautiful.But Seldon, after the first few days of his acquaintance, never again judged her objectively.Dors Venabili!That's what he thought when he saw her calm face.On many worlds, and even in many areas of Trantor, she could often be called Dors Seldon.But he always felt that it was a bit like marking his ownership on her, and he didn't want that.Although this is a practice left over from the pre-imperial era like a fog.Dors looked worried, shook her head lightly, and said softly, "I've heard about it, Harry. What do you think I should do with you?"

"Kissing me is never wrong." "Well, maybe, but only after we've talked it out. Come in." The door closed behind them. "You know, dear, I also have my own courses and research projects. I'm still working on that nasty history of the kingdom of Trantor, and you tell me that research is vital to your work. Should I take my own Putting it all down and being around you all day to protect you? It’s still my job, you know. And it’s more important now than usual, and you’re making progress on psychohistory.” "Progress? I hope so. And you don't have to protect me."

"No need? I asked Ricky to go out and look for you. After all, you're late, and I'm worried. You always tell me when you come home late. If you think I sound like your guardian, then I'm sorry, Harry, but I am your guardian." "Has it never occurred to you, Lord Guardian Dors, that every moment I try to break free from my chains?" "But in case something happens to you, how can I explain it to Demerzel?" "Am I coming back too late to eat? Did we order?" "Not yet. I'm waiting for you. As long as you're here, it's up to you to order. You're much pickier about food than I am. Don't try to change the subject."

"Did Ricky tell you I'm safe? So what's there to talk about?" "When he found you, you had the situation under control, so he came back first, not much before you. I haven't heard the details of the incident. Tell me-what are you-doing- —really?" Seldon shrugged. "There was an illegal party there, Dors, and I messed it up. If I didn't, it would bring a lot of unnecessary trouble to the school." "Isn't it still within your power to prevent this? Harry, you're not a gladiator any more. You're a—" he interrupted abruptly, "Old man?"

"For a gladiator, yes. You are forty. How do you feel about your body?" "Fine—just a little stiff." "I can imagine that. The day you try to pretend you're a young Helicon athlete, you're bound to break your ribs. — Now on to the details." "Well, I told you that Amariel warned me that Demerzel was in trouble because 'Jojo' Joranan was stirring things up." "'Jojo'. Yes, I know that. You don't need to say more. The question is what happened today?" "There was a rally at the stadium. A 'Jojo' partisan named Namati was speaking—"

"Namati's full name is Gamble Dean Namati, and he is Jo Ruonan's right-hand man." "Look, you know more than I do. Anyway, he was doing a huge mass-speak, but he didn't have a permit, and I think he was actually trying to cause some kind of riot. They were afraid of the world No mess, if he can use this to temporarily close the university, then he can sue Demozil for destroying academic freedom. I guess they will definitely put all the blame on him. So I stopped them immediately. - in Get them out before there's a riot." "You sound pretty proud."

"Why not? I'm not doing too badly for a man of forty." "That's probably the real reason why you did this, right? Test your forty-year-old status." Seldon ordered the dinner menu thoughtfully, and continued: "No. I'm really worried that the school will get into unnecessary trouble ...and I'm worried about Demerzel too. I'm afraid Hugo's account of the danger impresses me more than I realize. How stupid of me, Dors, because I actually know Demerzel There is a way to protect yourself. And I can't explain this to Hugo or anyone else, except you." He took a deep breath and said: "But I can at least talk to you, this pleasant feeling It's amazing. You know it, I know it, Demerzel knows it, and others don't know - at least as far as I know - that Demerzel is untouchable."

Dors flipped a switch on a control panel built into the wall, and the dining area in the living room was instantly bathed in a soft peachy glow.The two walked to the dining table together, where linen napkins, crystal cups, and cutlery were already placed.When they both sat down and supper began to be served—there was never such a long delay at this time of night—Seldon took it lightly.He had long been used to this social status which freed them from condescension to the teaching staff.Seldon relished the seasoning they had learned to enjoy during their temporary stay in McGann District—it was the only thing that wasn't disgusting in that eccentric patriarchal religiously imprisoned area.

Dors said softly, "What do you mean by 'unshakable'?" "Come on, dear, he can change people's moods. You can't forget that. If Joranan was really dangerous, he could be"—Seldon made a vague gesture—"change; change his mind ’” Dors looked disturbed, and the dinner went on in an atmosphere of uncharacteristic silence.It wasn't until dinner was over and the leftovers—garbage, cutlery, everything—swirled into the disposal chute in the center of the table (and then everything was back to normal) that she said, "Although I don't really want to talk to you On the subject, Harry, but I cannot let you be blinded by your ignorance."

"Ignorant?" He frowned. "Yes. Because we never talked about it. I never thought it would be brought up. Demerzel has weaknesses. He's not invulnerable. He can be damaged. , and Qiao Ruonan is indeed a danger to him." "are you serious?" "Seriously, of course. You don't understand robots—especially one as complex as Demerzel's, and it's much less likely that you will. And I do."