Fortunately no one could hear my voice, as everyone was shouting and running.

“Who is it? What is the matter? What⁠—” R-13 turned around; his sprinkling lips were trembling. He apparently thought it was one of the Guardians.

“What? I do not want⁠—I won’t allow⁠—Put her down at once!”

But he only sprinkled angrily with his lips, shook his head and ran on. Then I⁠ ⁠… I am terribly ashamed to write all this down but I believe I must, so that you, my unknown readers, may make a complete study of my disease.⁠ ⁠… Then I hit him over the head with all my might. You understand? I hit him. This I remember distinctly. I remember also a feeling of liberation that followed my action, a feeling of lightness in my whole body.

I-330 slid quickly out of his arms.