Read Online Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine by Jay Williams, Abrashkin Abrashkin - Free Book Online

said the Professor. “Mrs. Dunn’s dinners are famous. And it’s quite true that we’ll work better when we’re a little more rested.”
    He stood up. “Grimes,” he said, “it’s months since we played a duet. What about a little music?”
    â€œAn excellent idea.” Dr. Grimes went out into the hall and opened his valise. He took out a small, black case. Meantime, the Professor had taken an enormous bull fiddle from a closet in the living room.
    â€œDo you think this is the time for duets?” Dr. Quibberly fumed. “Really, Professor Bullfinch, I do believe—”
    â€œI agree with you,” cried the Professor, heartily. “There’s no time like the present, for music. Tune up, Grimes.”
    Dr. Grimes had taken out a piccolo and was fitting it together. Danny looked at Irene and motioned with his head towards the door. Without a word, the two young people slipped quietly out of the room.
    â€œCome on,” Danny said, in an urgent whisper, when they were in the hall. “Let’s go to the lab.”
    â€œDo you think it’s safe?”
    â€œSure. They’re good for at least half an hour of music. Then they’ll start arguing as they always do and it will break up.”
    He led the way to the laboratory. Irene remained at the door to warn him if anyone came. Danny went at once to the computer, snapped the POWER ON switch, and fidgeted impatiently until the machine warmed up. Then he began testing all its different parts.
    Half an hour later, he shook his head wearily. “I don’t know,” he said. “If I only had more time, maybe I could—”
    â€œShh!” Irene hissed. “They’re coming.”
    Danny sprang away from the console. A moment later, the Professor entered, followed by the other two men.
    â€œRight in here, gentlemen,” the Professor was saying. “We can at least take a look at Miniac before dinner.”
    He blinked at Danny. “Why, Dan,” he said. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI—I—I was just warming Minny up, Professor,” the boy stammered. “I knew you wouldn’t want to waste time later.”
    â€œThat’s very good of you.”
    â€œDo you mean to say,” demanded Dr. Quibberly, “that you allow a little child to meddle with your computer? Why, I never heard of such a thing.”
    â€œDanny’s not a little child,” the Professor said, quietly. “He’s my assistant. He has lived in this house almost all his life, and he’s learned a great deal more than most adults know about science. Of course I trust him.”
    Danny gulped miserably, but couldn’t say anything.
    The Professor moved to the console. His foot struck something on the floor. He bent and picked it up; it was a scout knife.
    â€œIs this yours, Dan?” he asked.
    â€œI guess so,” Danny said, taking the knife.
    â€œHm. It’s careless to leave tools lying about,” said the Professor. “Put it away, my boy.”
    Danny dropped it into his back pocket.
    Dr. Quibberly had stepped forward to examine the console. “Very interesting,” he said. “As long as we’re here, Bullfinch, perhaps we could begin with a few simple tests.”
    But just at that instant, Mrs. Dunn looked in round the door. “Everything’s hot!” she called. “Come to the table.”
    Danny blew out a long breath of relief. His fate had been postponed—at least till after dinner.
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    A Dismal Dinner for Danny
    They all sat down around the long, oak dining table. Mrs. Dunn had invited Irene to stay for dinner, and when the girl had run across and secured permission from her parents, she returned and sat next to Danny. The two tried to eat, although neither of them had much of an appetite.
    But, fortunately, the adults were so busy with their own eating and talking that they hardly noticed the