by Isaac Asimov
Fargo looked at Jeff, who gulped again and pretended to be absorbed in Oola's egg. He could not beg Norby to stay, nor order him. Norby was no longer his possession, but his partner, and the decision had to be up to Norby alone.
"Maybe you've got two homes, Norby," said Fargo gently. "How about using both?"
Norby turned off the game and shut all four eyes. "Maybe nobody wants me."
There was something in Jeff's throat and, when he tried to speak, he croaked.
"Well, well," said Fargo, stretching. "I think I'll have to leave this to you two to settle. I'm going to wash and change my clothing. Albany believes in utilitarian clothing and disapproves of men wearing diamonds."
"How about gold belts?" said Jeff, getting his voice back. Out of the comer of his eye he saw Norby's metal eyelids snap up. Jeff took a deep breath.
"Oh, that," said Fargo carelessly, unhooking the one he was wearing and tossing it to Jeff. "That's a special antigrav belt the grand dragon had ordered for me. We'll take turns at it until the fleet scientists design some of their own."
Norby snatched the belt from Jeff and handed it back to Fargo. "No," he said. "You keep it, Fargo, Jeff won't need this. He'll have me most of the time."
Jeff let out the breath and picked up Norby.
Fargo smiled and said, "I'm in charge of this family, Norby, and perhaps I should have doubts about you. It took you a long time to get the Hopeful back to Space Command. Didn't you almost lose my ship-and my brother and my admiral?"
"On purpose," said Jeff, holding Norby tightly, "So Yobo would see him as unreliable and not want him."
Norby jiggled his head up and down in assent. Then he grabbed onto Jeff's arm and said, "It gave me time to think, and I decided that I could visit Jamya and my father, but what I really wanted after all was to stay with Jeff. He is my friend."
"I see," said Fargo, "but I suspect that you're just as mixed up as ever, Norby."
Norby said, "I'm afraid so," and one of his eyes that faced Jeff closed its metal eyelid in an exaggerated and tremendous wink.
"Norby," said Jeff. "You're my friend, too, and I want you just the way you are, forever mixed up."
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