Mule depresses Bayta

Toran came upon her in the darkened room, and said sharply, “Bayta!”

Bayta started guiltily. “Yes? You want me, Torie?”

“Sure I want you. What in Space are you sitting there for? You’ve been acting all wrong since we got to Trantor. What’s the matter with you?”

“Oh, Torie, stop,” she said, wearily.

And “Oh, Torie, stop!” he mimicked impatiently. Then, with sudden softness, “Won’t you tell me what’s wrong, Bay? Something’s bothering you.”

“No! Nothing is, Torie. If you keep on just nagging and nagging, you’ll have me mad. I’m just—thinking.”

“Thinking about what?” “About nothing. Well, about the Mule, and Haven, and the Foundation, and everything. About Ebling Mis and whether he’ll find anything about the Second Foundation, and whether it will help us when he does find it—and a million other things. Are you satisfied?” Her voice was agitated.

“If you’re just brooding, do you mind stopping? It isn’t pleasant and it doesn’t help the situation.”

Bayta got to her feet and smiled weakly. “All right. I’m happy. See, I’m smiling and jolly.”

Chapter 24