breakfast. I want my folks. Hey! Mom, Dad!"
He went into the bedroom. It was clean and empty and scrubbed.
"Where's my mother and father?"
The metal voice of the robot beside Johnny said, "I am going to livewith you. You will learn as much at home as you do at school."
"Where's my mother?"
"I'm your mother."
"Where's my father?"
"I'm your father."
Johnny Malone swung. "You mean my mother and father are gone?" Tearsgathered in his eyes.
Gently, gently, the metal hand pulled him against the metal body. "Yourfolks have gone away, Johnny. Everyone's folks have gone away. We willstay with you."
Johnny Malone ran his glance around the room.
"I might have known they were gone. The place is so clean."
* * * * *
All the houses were clean. The servant robots had cleaned all night. Theroboteachers had checked each house before the children were broughthome. The children must not be alarmed. There must be no bits of bloodto frighten them.
The robot's voice said gently, "Today will be a holiday to becomeaccustomed to the changes. There will be school tomorrow."
Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from _Fantastic Universe_ November 1956. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note.
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