Chapter 4
Birk considered going to the hospital and watching the transplant operation personally, but Arthur talked him out of it. Birk could do nothing to help, and his presence might only be a hindrance, the robot pointed out; he also hinted broadly that Birk could become emotionally involved in the process if he came too close, and it might then be a more serious blow to him if the woman should die despite the doctors’ best efforts. Birk weighed these arguments and agreed to their validity; he would stay away from the hospital, and Arthur would keep him informed of any developments that might occur.
It was by now too late to visit Alpha-Xi, as Birk had originally intended; that was an all-day task he would have to put off until tomorrow. On the other hand, there was little Birk could
