"Stanislaw Lem - Automathew's Friend2" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lem Stanislaw)

much
as its weight in diamonds. You'll see, I think, how very
reasonable
the price is, when you consider that you can put an electrofriend
in
 your ear, where it will whisper good advice and supply you with
all
kinds of information. Here's a bit of soft cotton, you stop up
the
ear with it so your friend won't fall out when you tilt your
head.
Will you take one? If you think you'd like a dozen, I might be
able
to arrange a discount..."
"No, one will do for now," said Automatthew. "But I'd like some
idea
of what I can expect of it. Will it be able to help me in a
difficult situation?"
"But of course, that's what it's for, after all!" replied the
inventor good-humoredly. He shook out on his palm a bunch of the
granules, which glittered metallically, being made of rare
metals,
and continued: "Obviously you can't count on help in the physical
sense, but we are not speaking of that, I think. Helpful hints,
suggestions, cogent comments, sensible recommendations, good
observations, admonitions, warnings, words of caution, as well as
comfort, solace, encouragement, maxims to restore your faith in
yourself, and deep insights that will enable you to cope with any
situation, no matter how serious or even grave--this is only a
small
part of the repertoire of my electrofriends. They are wholly
devoted, staunch, true, ever vigilant, because they never sleep;
they are also unbelievably durable, esthetic, and you can see for
yourself how very handy! So then, you are taking only one?"
"Yes," said Automatthew. "But there's another thing: could you
tell
me what happens if someone steals it from me? Will it return? Or
bring about the thief's destruction?"
"As for that, no," answered the inventor. "It will serve him just
as
diligently and faithfully as it did you. You can't ask too much,
my
dear Autom, it will not desert you in your hour of need if you do
not desert it. But there is little chance of that--if you will
just
place it in your ear and always keep the ear plugged up with
cotton..."
"Very well," agreed Automatthew. "And how am I to speak to it?"
"You needn't speak at all, whisper subvocally and it will hear
you