Red Hat Girl

A feeble whistle issued from the apologetic robot, but it was Threepio and notthe recalcitrant rover who was abruptly doing most of the talking. "Master Luke here is now your rightful owner, Artoo. How could you justamble away from him like this? Now that's he's found you, let's have no more ofthis 'Obi-wan Kenobi's gibberish. I don't know where picked that up—or thatmelodramatic hologram, either." Artoo started to beep in protest, but Threepio's indignation was too great topermit excuses. "And don't talk to me about your mission. What rot! You'refortunate Master Luke doesn't blast you into a million pieces right here and now." "Not much chance of that," admitted Luke, a bit overwhelmed by Threepio'scasual vindictiveness. "Come on—it's getting late." He eyed the rapidly risingsuns. "I just hope we can get back before Uncle Owen really lets go." "If you don't mind my saying so," Threepio suggested, apparently unwilling thatthe Artoo unit should get off so easily, "I think you ought to deactivate the littlefugitive until you've gotten him safely back in the garage." "No. He's not going to try anything." Luke studied the softly beeping 'droidsternly. "I hope he's learned his lesson. There's no need to—" Without warning the Artoo unit suddenly leaped off the ground—no mean featconsidering the weakness of the spring mechanisms in his three thick legs. Hiscylindrical body was twisting and spinning as he let out a frantic symphony ofwhistles, hoots, and electronic exclamations.