"Robert A Heinlein - Red Planet v1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

repeated, in exact imitation of Jim, "What ought I to do,
Doc?'"

"Shut up, Willis-"

" 'Shut up, Willis.'" Willis mutated the doctor just as per-
fectly.

"Probably the kindest thing would be to take him out, find
him a hole, and stuff him in it. You can renew your acquain-
tance when he's through hibernating."

"But, Doc, that means I'll lose him! He'll be out long
before I'm home from school. Why, he'll probably wake up
even before the colony comes back."

"Probably." MacRae thought about it. "It won't hurt him to
be on his own again. It's not a natural life he leads with you,
Jim. He's an individual, you know; he's not property."

"Of course he's not! He's my friend."

"I can't see," put in Francis, "why Jim sets such store by
him. Sure, he talks a lot, but most of it is just parrot stuff.
He's a moron, if you ask me."

"Nobody asked you. Willis is fond of me, aren't you,
Willis? Here, come to papa." Jim spread his arms; the little
Martian creature hopped into them and settled in his lap, a
warm, furry mass, faintly pulsating. Jim stroked him.

"Why don't you ask one of the Martians?" suggested Mac-
Rae.

"I tried to, but I couldn't find one that was in a mood to
pay any attention."

"You mean you weren't willing to wait long enough. A
Martian will notice you if you're patient. Well, why don't you
ask himt He can speak for himself."

"What should I say?"

"I'll try it. Willis!"

Willis turned two eyes on the doctor; MacRae went on,
"Want to go outdoors and go to sleep?"

"Willis not sleepy."