Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine by Jay Williams, Abrashkin Abrashkin Page B

panted bravely along behind him, and at last, winded and wet, they arrived at Danny’s front door.
    Dan was just reaching for the knob when the door was pulled open.
    â€œHullo, my boy,” cried a well-known, jolly voice.
    â€œProfessor Bullfinch!” Danny said.
    â€œGlad to see you, Dan.” The Professor’s eyes twinkled behind his glasses. He looked well, but tired. “And Irene. How are you?”
    â€œFine,” said Irene, with no enthusiasm.
    â€œYou’re back sooner than I thought,” Danny said, trying to be calm.
    â€œWell, I must say, that’s a fine greeting.”
    â€œI’m sorry. Of course I’m glad to see you.” Danny grinned feebly and shook hands. “Have you—looked at Minny yet?”
    The Professor laughed. “Just got in, not ten minutes ago. I’ll get to Minny soon enough. I know you’ll be just as excited as I am. Look here, here’s someone you’ll be glad to see.”
    Danny and Irene came into the living room where two men were sitting. One of them was the Professor’s old friend, Dr. A. J. Grimes, a scientist, who was tall and thin and sour-faced. The other was a stranger, a fat man with enormously heavy eyebrows and at least three chins.
    Danny greeted Dr. Grimes and introduced Irene to him. Then the Professor led him to the stranger, and said, “This is Dr. Ambrose Quibberly, of the Federal Research Council.”
    â€œHow do you do?” said Danny.
    â€œDr. Quibberly has come down to inspect Miniac,” the Professor went on. “The government has an immediate need for computers of this type, provided Minny turns out to be all we say she is.” And he chuckled, and rubbed his hands together.
    â€œYes, and the sooner we find out, the better,” said Dr. Quibberly. “I’m a busy man, you know.”
    Just then, Mrs. Dunn entered with a large silver tray on which was the Professor’s best tea service. She set it down, and began pouring tea.
    â€œHello, Danny dear,” she said. “And Irene! How nice to see you. Run along to the kitchen, Dan, and bring in the plate of cakes I left on the counter.”
    Danny, with a despairing look at Irene, did as his mother asked.
    Mrs. Dunn said, “Now, gentlemen, I know you’re all tired from your trip, and I have a pretty good notion of all the work you’re going to have to do in the laboratory. So I suggest that instead of rushing into things, you relax and rest. I’ll have dinner ready early, and after dinner you can get to work.”
    â€œA splendid idea, my dear Mrs. Dunn,” the Professor beamed. “And very sensible. Don’t you think so, Dr. Quibberly?”
    â€œNo,” said Dr. Quibberly. “I think—”
    Mrs. Dunn put a teacup in his hand. “Lemon or cream?” she asked gently.
    â€œThank you, neither. I think—”
    Danny came back with the plate of cakes and began passing them round. He said nervously to the Professor, “Are you going right in to show them Minny?”
    â€œNo, I believe we’ll do as your mother has just suggested, and relax. I, for one, am exhausted from the trip down.”
    â€œOh, good,” Danny said, and then quickly added, “I mean, I think that’s a good idea.”
    â€œThere’s no point in rushing,” Dr. Grimes said, gruffly. “The computer probably won’t work anyway. Your theories, my dear Bullfinch, are always far beyond any possible practice.”
    â€œNot in this case,” Professor Bullfinch replied.
    â€œLook here,” Dr. Quibberly began, “I haven’t got all the time in the world—”
    â€œCertainly not, sir,” said Mrs. Dunn soothingly. “Who has? Do have one of these cakes.”
    â€œThank you. Now, I think—”
    â€œRelax, Quibberly,” said Dr. Grimes. “You’ll pop a blood vessel.”
    â€œYou won’t regret waiting,”