is not the primary reason for my coming, though I imagine we will get to it."
"Indeed? Are you under the impression that we are here to engage in a long and complicated discussion on whatever topic you choose to deal with?"
"I think, Dr. Vasilia, you would be well-advised to allow me to manage this interview as I wish."
"Is that a threat?"
"No.
"Well, I have never met an Earthman and it might be interesting to see how closely you resemble the actor who played your role - that is, in ways other than appearance. Are you really the masterful person you seemed to be in the show?"
"The show," said Baley with clear distaste, "was overdramatic and exaggerated my personality in every direction. I would rather you accept me as I am and judge me entirely from how I appear to you right now."
Vasilia laughed: "At least you don't seem overawed by me. That's a point in your favor. Or do you think this Gremionis thing you've got in mind puts you in a position to order me about?"
"I am not here to do anything but uncover the truth in the matter of the dead humaniform robot, Jander Panell."
"Dead? Was he ever alive, then?"
"I use one syllable in preference to phrases such as 'rendered inoperative.' Does saying 'dead' confuse you?"
Vasilia said, "You fence well. - Debrett, bring the Earthman a chair. He will grow weary standing if this is to be a long conversation. Then get into your niche. And you may choose one, too, Daneel. - Giskard, come stand by me."
Baley sat down. "Thank you, Debrett. - Dr. Vasilia, I have no authority to question you; I have no legal means of forcing you to answer my questions. However, the death of Jander Panell has put your father in a position of some - "
"It has put whom in a position?"
"Your father."
"Earthman, I sometimes refer to a certain individual as my father, but no one else does. Please use a proper name."
"Dr. Han Fastolfe. He is your father, isn't he? As a matter of record?"
Vasilia said, "You are using a biological term. I share genes with him in a manner characteristic of what on Earth would be considered a father-daughter relationship. This is a matter of indifference on Aurora, except in medical and genetic matters. I can conceive of my suffering from certain metabolic states in which it would be appropriate to consider the physiology and biochemistry of those with whom I share genes, parents, siblings, children, and so on. Otherwise these relationships are not generally referred to in polite Auroran society. - I explain this to you because you are an Earthman."
"If I have offended against custom," said Baley, "it is through ignorance and I apologize. May I refer to the gentleman under discussion by name?"
"Certainly."
"In that case, the death of Jander Panell has put Dr. Han Fastolfe into a position of some difficulty and I would assume that you would be concerned enough to desire to help him."
"You assume that, do you? Why?"
"He is your - He brought you up. He cared for you. You had a profound affection for each other. He still feels a profound affection for you."
"Did he tell you that?"
"It was obvious from the details of our conversations - even from the fact that he has taken an interest in the Solarian woman, Gladia Delmarre, because of her resemblance to you."
"Did he tell you that?"
"He did, but even if he hadn't, the resemblance is obvious."
"'Nevertheless, Earthman, I owe Dr. Fastolfe nothing. Your assumptions can be dismissed."
Baley cleared his throat. "Aside from any personal feelings you might or might not have, there is the matter of the future of the Galaxy. Dr. Fastolfe wishes new worlds to be explored and settled by human beings. If the political repercussions of Jander's death lead to the exploration and settlement of the new worlds by robots, Dr. Fastolfe believes that this will be catastrophic for Aurora and humanity. Surely you would not be a party to such a catastrophe."
Vasilia said indifferently, watching him closely, "Surely not, if I agreed with Dr. Fastolfe. I do not. I see no harm in having humaniform robots doing the work. I am here at the Institute, in fact, to make that possible. I am a Globalist. Since Dr. Fastolfe is a Humanist, he is my political enemy."
Her answers were clipped and direct, no longer than they had to be. Each time, there followed a definite silence, as, though she were waiting, with interest, for