Einstein Dog Read Free

Bertrand nudged.
    â€œOh. Umm. I don’t know yet, Bertrand,” Professor Smith mumbled. “I’m doing my best to get SMART 73 out, but it’s a ticklish business.”
    Professor Smith had almost fished out the first spoon, but it slipped back into the pot, causing him to mutter under his breath. Here we go again, Bertrand thought glumly. How many times would they have to have this argument?
    â€œWhy can’t she come home?” he pressed.
    â€œBertrand! Please,” his father answered wearily. “We’ve been through all this before. There’s no point arguing. She certainly can’t come home tonight.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    Sighing, Professor Smith shot him an angry glance.
    â€œWe could bring her home just for the night, Dad, then you could take her back in the morning. No one would even know . . . ”
    â€œBertrand!” Professor Smith groaned, giving up on the spoon and turning to face his son. “You must learn to think things through and not just blurt out whatever comes into your head. You know we can’t simply take 73. You know that!”
    â€œNo I don’t!” Bertrand flushed.
    The professor bowed his head, summoning patience. He rarely raised his voice, and whenever he did it seemed to drain him. Bertrand sensed his father’s exhaustion and disappointment. He felt badly, pushing so hard, but Libra needed an ally. All he had to do was remember her , caged in that dark, lonely kennel, and his determination flared.
    â€œSMART 73 belongs to the university, Bertrand,” Professor Smith explained in a slow, deliberate voice. “Bringing her home without authorization would be theft.”
    â€œBut we’ll return her!” Bertrand wailed.
    â€œIt would still be a very serious breach, son. You know that. If anyone discovered we’d brought 73 home, I would face disciplinary action. She is a research animal and the effects of her getting loose into the general population would be unpredictable at best, and quite possibly disastrous.”
    â€œLibra wouldn’t hurt anyone. You know it. She makes the world a better place. She would make this house a better place.”
    Professor Smith sagged, leaning against the stove. “I’m sorry, Birdie,” he said. “I know how you feel, but . . . ”
    â€œNo you don’t!” Bertrand exploded. “You just say that! You’ve been saying it for months now.”
    â€œThat’s not fair!”
    Bertrand sulked, but the hurt in his father’s eyes stopped him saying more.
    â€œI said I would do my absolute best to bring Libra home,” Professor Smith explained. “You must remember that, Bertrand, and trust that I’m living up to my promise. I said I couldn’t guarantee her release, because the matter is outside my control. It’s up to the university, and getting anything through the university bureaucracy is like threading rope through a needle, I’m afraid. As for the idea of spiriting 73 home for evening outings . . . do you really want to take that chance?”
    Glancing away sullenly, Bertrand refused to answer.
    â€œWell then,” the professor continued, “I shall explain again that if such a breach were discovered, and there’s a high degree of probability it would be, it would destroy any hope of bringing 73 home for a very long time. The university administration would be forced to make an example of me. They might never release her into our care. I’ve explained all this before, Bertrand. You must understand.”
    Bertrand did , of course. But a part of him kept saying, “There’s got to be a way!” and blaming his father for not finding it. The university’s rules were idiotic. What harm could Libra do? She was the gentlest, most intelligent dog on earth.
    â€œWhat about this new grant, Dad?” Bertrand said. “Does that mean Libra will have to be a prisoner even