diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 01:51:09 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 01:51:09 -0800 |
| commit | 24312932ec05c516a2cc66cbe3333366d0a0070d (patch) | |
| tree | 77c8a8fbdfbcf01d9d83f473ff2a09edd6e0019a | |
| parent | 10702ad25875a86206066c82d0c773c134feb51f (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69211-0.txt | 828 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69211-0.zip | bin | 14225 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69211-h.zip | bin | 1921992 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69211-h/69211-h.htm | 1006 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69211-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 1828361 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69211-h/images/illus.jpg | bin | 80196 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 1834 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..267310a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69211 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69211) diff --git a/old/69211-0.txt b/old/69211-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 381c543..0000000 --- a/old/69211-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,828 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The angry house, by Richard R. Smith - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The angry house - -Author: Richard R. Smith - -Illustrator: EMSH - -Release Date: October 23, 2022 [eBook #69211] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANGRY HOUSE *** - - - - - - The ANGRY HOUSE - - By RICHARD R. SMITH - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Startling Stories Summer 1955. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -The house's electronic brain glowed with an intangible thing that might -have been pride. - -It thought, I am content. I am content because there are so many -things I can do to make them happy. I can cook their meals, make the -beds, scrub my floors, wash my windows. I can bathe them, keep them -warm, give them a gentle, cool breeze. If they want entertainment, I -can rise hundreds of feet on my antigravity rays and give them a nice -view. I can give them soft music, entertaining TV programs and pleasant -surprises. - -The house activated one of the many telescopic scanners on the roof and -watched its owners as their car sped down the narrow road toward the -city. It thought, They are so young, so nice, so kind to each other -and myself. She speaks to me with affection and he spends many hours -learning how I operate. She will love me and he will be proud of me and -take good care of me. I am glad they own me! - -It deactivated the scanner and from hidden closets, shiny machines -quietly entered the many rooms. The tiny machines rolled on soft -rubber wheels, floated on invisible antigravity rays and went about -their many tasks. They sucked in dust and dirt, waxed the floors, -washed the dishes. Behind the smooth gray walls, machines prepared the -evening meal, checked the video schedule for the afternoon and selected -recordings of soft music that the house's owners would enjoy. - -_Bing-bong._ - -The doorbell activated certain electrical circuits and the small -porch was splashed with gentle light. A polite voice from a concealed -microphone said, "No one is home. Would you care to leave a message?" - -Politely, the house's electronic brain waited for a reply. There was -none. "Goodbye," the house said. - -It felt a key in the front door. It was not like _their_ key. It did -not fit snugly. This key wasn't meant for its front door. It hurt -slightly but it opened the door. - -The intruders stepped into the foyer. - -Three infra-red scanners peered at the two strangers. - -One was a woman. Long, blond hair. Gray eyes. Small pointed nose. Blue -dress and blue, high-heel shoes. The house evaluated her, discarded -the word "beautiful" and decided on the words "curvaceous" and "sexy." -Yes, it would use those words to describe her to its owners when they -returned. It wondered briefly if they were relatives of its masters. - -The man was short, stocky. Dark hair, brown eyes. The house searched -its files but could not find any complimentary adjectives. It spoke. -"No one is home. Would you care to leave a message?" It wished it could -inquire as to what they wanted, but there were no circuits for that. - -"Shut up," the man said. - -"Beg pardon?" - -"Shut up! _Keep quiet!_" - -"Yes, sir," the house responded. It was constructed to obey orders, but -_that_ order was an unfamiliar one which it didn't like. - -"Tell it to turn on the lights," the woman said nervously. - -"Turn the lights on." - -The house waited several seconds. It was obliged to obey orders of -guests. But were these people guests? It searched memory circuits. -Guests were people who came to visit while owners were home. Guests -were friendly, talkative. The house decided this man and woman did not -fit in that category of identification. - - * * * * * - -Hurriedly, it searched its myriad electrical networks and found the -only logical description of the intruders--burglars. - -Behind the walls, relays clicked and infinitesimal electrical charges -darted across a spidery web of silver wires only to find themselves in -the dead-ends of missing connections. - -The anti-burglar installations are missing! the house thought -frantically. If the protective devices had been present, it would have -been able to spray the intruders with tear gas, paralyze them with -electrical charges, thrust them from the house with antigravity rays, -or kill them by any one of a dozen methods. Without the anti-burglar -mechanisms, it was defenseless. What can I do? the house wondered. What -can I do! - -Reluctantly, the house turned the lights on. - -"You sure the burglar alarms haven't been installed?" the woman asked -anxiously. - -"Hell. Do you think I'd come here if I wasn't sure? I told you I talked -to the construction man. There's a shortage right now. They won't be -put in until next week. The family doesn't know--the company didn't -want to lose a sale." - -The woman's eyes widened with admiration as they scanned the hardwood -floors, ankle-deep scatter rugs, angular furniture, large picture -windows, wall-to-wall bookcase and abstract multidimension paintings. - -"They must have money," she commented. "How do we find the--" - -The man snapped muscular fingers with a sharp, cracking sound. "We'll -ask the house!" - -A momentary silence. Then, the man's gruff voice: "House, where's the -safe?" - -"I cannot divulge that information." It felt proud when it didn't -hesitate in its answer. There were many things it couldn't tell anyone -and it had carefully memorized them: its cost, its female owner's age, -anything relating to the owners' sex or personal life--and, mainly, the -location of various things, including the safe. - -"Tell us!" the man shouted. - -"No." - -"Damn you!" - -"Beg pardon?" - -"Go to hell!" - -Relays clicked silently behind the gray walls. It had been instructed -at the factory to explain when it couldn't obey an order. It searched -its dictionary circuits and said mechanically, "Hell: a noun. The place -of the dead or departed souls, (more correctly Hades); the place of -punishment for the wicked after death. I have no soul, therefore I -cannot go to hell. I am sorry." - -The woman laughed. "Let's start looking. We got hours." - -The house watched as the strangers searched the room. It watched as the -man took a knife from his pocket and ripped through the upholstery of a -chair. - -"Please stop," the house implored. - -The strangers did not reply. - -An unpleasant sensation rippled through the house's electrical -circuits. It wanted to make its owners happy. They wouldn't be happy -when they returned and saw the ruined furniture. They would be sad, -perhaps angry. She would cry and he would frown. - -It tried again, "Please stop." - -The woman was removing books from the bookcase; the man continued -searching the furniture. - -They wouldn't stop when it asked them to. If it only had the burglar -devices! Now, there was no way for it to fight. - -Or is there? it wondered. - -The lights went off. - -"Turn the lights on!" the woman screamed. - -"No." - -"Use the flashlight," the man said. - - * * * * * - -Simultaneously, two beams of light slashed through the darkened room. -The strangers resumed their search. - -The house thought, They're trying to find the safe containing the -money and jewels. I can't tell them where it is. - -I can't stop them. I need help. - -It cut into the phone circuits and dialed the number of its factory. -The phone's visiscreen flared with light and a woman's face appeared -smiling. - -"Johnson Construction Company." - -The house projected its voice toward the mouthpiece. "Please, let me -speak to--" - -The man removed a weapon from his tunic. The phone and visiscreen -vanished, leaving only small metal fragments that fell to the carpet. - -"It was using the phone!" the woman exclaimed shrilly, trembling in the -darkness. - -"Don't worry," the man said. "They didn't have time to trace the call. -The room was dark; they couldn't see who was calling." - -After a brief silence, the man warned, "House! See this thing in my -hand? You behave yourself or I'll disintegrate your...." He let the -sentence dangle, unable to think of what he would disintegrate. - -"Yes, sir," the house replied. It was an automatic response to any -statement. - -"Now, turn the lights on or I'll use this gun to make one big mess of -your floors and walls. Your owners wouldn't like that, would they?" - -"No, sir." - -It turned the lights on. If it didn't, they would use their -flashlights, and by turning them on it might prevent some destruction. - -The woman chuckled. "You're a genius!" - -When they finished their search of the living room, the man suggested, -"Let's search different rooms. You take a bedroom. I'll take the dining -room. No telling where the safe is. They put it in a different place in -every house." - -The house waited, its electronic brain whirling. - -It made a decision. - -Silently, the house erected an invisible energy screen around the -dining room. The screens were designed to block collective sounds -of the entire house from any room and provide it with a comforting -serenity. - -Now, the house thought, the sound-screens will be most useful! - -The house watched as the man in the wrinkled brown tunic examined a -table. - -Silently, panels in the walls opened. - -A dozen machines a foot in diameter converged at a position behind the -man's back. - -The machines moved simultaneously, silently. They attached themselves -to the intruder's body. They dusted and scrubbed him thoroughly, as if -he were a piece of furniture or a floor. - -The man screamed and fired wildly with the gun. The small machines -crumpled one by one. - -Click ... click ... click. - -"Your weapon is empty," the house observed. - -The man threw the gun at a window. It bounced off the hard plastic and -clattered on the floor. - -"You try something like that again," he threatened, "and I'll kill you! -So help me, I'll kill you if I have to take you apart piece by piece!" -He shook a trembling fist at the quiet walls and twisted his face into -a hideous snarl. - -The house noticed with satisfaction that the man's face and hands were -covered with crimson streaks. The cleaning machines had served their -purpose. - -The house deactivated the dining room scanners and activated scanners -in the bedrooms. - -It found the woman in its owners' bedroom. It studied her as she -searched a mattress. She was calm: because of its precaution, the -sounds of the dining room fracas hadn't reached her ears. The house -decided to leave the sound-blocks on. It was best to attack them -individually. - - * * * * * - -A closet door slid into a wall. A slender machine, five feet tall and -with sixteen long metal tentacles rolled across the room on soft rubber -wheels. - -It looked like a mechanical monster from another world, but it was -merely a very efficient machine to undress the house's masters--a -mechavalet. - -The mechavalet paused behind the woman's back. Sixteen rubber-tipped -metal tentacles reached out. - -The machine normally undressed a person with smoothness and gentleness. -This time the house made it operate as roughly as possible. - -The sixteen tentacles moved swiftly and the machine tore the woman's -dress to shreds before she could even scream. By the time she turned -around, it had removed her slip and brassiere. - -[Illustration: Her dress was torn to shreds.] - -The woman screamed even more shrilly as the weird machine tugged at her -panties. Frantically, she grabbed the slender tentacles and twisted -them until rewarded by the crunch of delicate mechanisms not meant for -such rough treatment. - -The machine served its purpose until its last metal arm was broken. - -The house watched as the woman cried for a few minutes and then, clad -only in high-heel shoes and wristwatch, continued her search of the -bedroom. - -She is different, the house thought. She does not scream threats at me -like the man does. Still, I do not like her because she wants to steal -from my masters and does not care what happens to me. - -The house switched its attention to the man. - -He had concluded his search of the dining room and was now searching a -guest room. He found the gun the house's master had hidden there. - -The man waved the gun at the motionless walls. "See what I found, -house! You try any more funny stuff and I'll kill you!" - -"You do not frighten me," the house replied via one of its many hidden -microphones. To verify the statement, it turned on the heating units -full blast. - -A few minutes later, the man stopped his search of a closet when he -noticed that sweat was rolling off his body as if he were standing at -the gates of hell itself. - -He left the closet and shouted at an open door, "Stop it! Do you hear, -stop it!" He shook his head from side to side, violently, as if to -impress the house with the necessity of obeying. - -"You can't stop me with the gun," the house informed him. "There are -one hundred and two air-conditioning vents in the house. If you took -time to find and destroy all of them, you could never leave here before -my masters return." - -The man's jaw sagged, and with an equal sag of his shoulders he -returned to his search of the closet. - -The house deducted, They are burglars, only burglars. They want to -escape before my masters return because they would have to kill them -and they are not murderers. - -The man grunted with satisfaction when he stopped sweating. And -grunted with anger when, a few minutes later, the room became so cold -he was shivering and his breath was like smoke. - -The house established automatic circuits to give the room a continuous -fluctuation of temperature from extreme heat to extreme coldness every -two minutes and turned its attention to the woman. - - * * * * * - -Still attired only in shoes and wristwatch, the woman was now searching -the bathroom. - -Quite by accident, she touched a certain spot of the medicine cabinet -and stared with fascination as the cabinet swung completely around to -display its back which was--the safe. It was unlocked. - -She grabbed the large metal box inside, opened it, and glanced at the -few glittering jewels and small bundle of bills. - -"It's here!" she cried. She whirled and took a step toward the door. - -That was as far as she got for several minutes. - -The bathroom was equipped with automatic dispensers of temporary and -permanent depilatories. The house's male master used the temporary -depilatory to shave with every morning and the house was well -acquainted with their use. - -It selected the _permanent_ depilatory, and nozzles set in the tile -walls squirted large gobs of it on the woman's head. Slender rubber -tentacles reached out and massaged the depilatory into the hair. -Faucets swung and sprayed jets of warm water. - -In a few seconds, the woman was completely hairless. She stared with -horror at the blond hair in the pool of water at her feet. "Was it -permanent?" she wondered aloud. - -"Yes," the house replied. - -She screamed and picked up a small weighing machine. With -uncontrollable anger, she smashed the machine against the medicine -cabinet. - -With an equal but emotionless anger, the house squirted soap into her -eyes and sprayed her naked body with alternate jets of hot and cold -water. - -The house won the battle. - -The woman groped blindly for the jewel box and staggered from the -bathroom. The house turned its attention to the man again. - -He had searched the kitchen without incident, but as he walked toward -the door a nearby food-dispenser opened. Prunes, waffles, bacon, eggs -and toast left the machine with abnormal speed and struck him. - -He turned just in time to receive cherry pie, spaghetti and meat balls, -butter, vegetable soup, and ice cream in his face. - -He shouted something unprintable at the house, wiped the mess from his -face and took another step toward the door. - -Half of a watermelon hurtled from the food-dispenser and squashed -against his skull. He stumbled, fell and slid. - -He heard the woman cry, "I found it!" He pulled himself to his feet. He -ran into the hall and froze when he saw the naked, hairless apparition -that stumbled from the bathroom. - - * * * * * - -For a moment, he forgot the money and gasped, "What happened?" - -"Depilatory," she explained. "The house did it." She wiped soap from -blood-shot eyes with the back of a hand. "When we get out, give me your -gun. I want to give this house something to remember!" - -The man seized the metal box and examined the contents. "Over twenty -thousand, hon. With that, you can buy plenty of wigs." He attempted a -smile but did succeed when he got a close look at her bald head. He -grabbed her arm. "Let's go! You can put on my coat in the helicar." - -The woman allowed herself to be dragged through the house, all the -while shaking a fist at the house's walls and threatening, "You hear -me, house? When I get outside, I'm going to burn you! You'll make a -nice little bonfire!" - -Too bad, the house reflected. Too bad I am two miles from the nearest -neighbor. If it were not for that, I could use my amplifiers and call -for help. I do not want them to escape with my owners' possessions. I -can repair most of the damage but I could never recover the money and-- - -The man stepped off the small front porch with the jewel box in one -hand, dragging the woman behind him with the other. - -It was dark outside. - -That was why he didn't notice: The house had risen two hundred feet on -its antigravity rays. - -The ground below was very hard. - -The house sang softly and waited for the return of its masters. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANGRY HOUSE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/69211-0.zip b/old/69211-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e470196..0000000 --- a/old/69211-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69211-h.zip b/old/69211-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7ba2c5d..0000000 --- a/old/69211-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69211-h/69211-h.htm b/old/69211-h/69211-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index a6749ab..0000000 --- a/old/69211-h/69211-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1006 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Angry House, by Richard R. Smith. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.caption p -{ - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0; - margin: 0.25em 0; - font-weight: bold; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The angry house, by Richard R. Smith</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The angry house</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Richard R. Smith</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: EMSH</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: October 23, 2022 [eBook #69211]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net.</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANGRY HOUSE ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>The ANGRY HOUSE</h1> - -<h2>By RICHARD R. SMITH</h2> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Startling Stories Summer 1955.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>The house's electronic brain glowed with an intangible thing that might -have been pride.</p> - -<p>It thought, I am content. I am content because there are so many -things I can do to make them happy. I can cook their meals, make the -beds, scrub my floors, wash my windows. I can bathe them, keep them -warm, give them a gentle, cool breeze. If they want entertainment, I -can rise hundreds of feet on my antigravity rays and give them a nice -view. I can give them soft music, entertaining TV programs and pleasant -surprises.</p> - -<p>The house activated one of the many telescopic scanners on the roof and -watched its owners as their car sped down the narrow road toward the -city. It thought, They are so young, so nice, so kind to each other -and myself. She speaks to me with affection and he spends many hours -learning how I operate. She will love me and he will be proud of me and -take good care of me. I am glad they own me!</p> - -<p>It deactivated the scanner and from hidden closets, shiny machines -quietly entered the many rooms. The tiny machines rolled on soft -rubber wheels, floated on invisible antigravity rays and went about -their many tasks. They sucked in dust and dirt, waxed the floors, -washed the dishes. Behind the smooth gray walls, machines prepared the -evening meal, checked the video schedule for the afternoon and selected -recordings of soft music that the house's owners would enjoy.</p> - -<p><i>Bing-bong.</i></p> - -<p>The doorbell activated certain electrical circuits and the small -porch was splashed with gentle light. A polite voice from a concealed -microphone said, "No one is home. Would you care to leave a message?"</p> - -<p>Politely, the house's electronic brain waited for a reply. There was -none. "Goodbye," the house said.</p> - -<p>It felt a key in the front door. It was not like <i>their</i> key. It did -not fit snugly. This key wasn't meant for its front door. It hurt -slightly but it opened the door.</p> - -<p>The intruders stepped into the foyer.</p> - -<p>Three infra-red scanners peered at the two strangers.</p> - -<p>One was a woman. Long, blond hair. Gray eyes. Small pointed nose. Blue -dress and blue, high-heel shoes. The house evaluated her, discarded -the word "beautiful" and decided on the words "curvaceous" and "sexy." -Yes, it would use those words to describe her to its owners when they -returned. It wondered briefly if they were relatives of its masters.</p> - -<p>The man was short, stocky. Dark hair, brown eyes. The house searched -its files but could not find any complimentary adjectives. It spoke. -"No one is home. Would you care to leave a message?" It wished it could -inquire as to what they wanted, but there were no circuits for that.</p> - -<p>"Shut up," the man said.</p> - -<p>"Beg pardon?"</p> - -<p>"Shut up! <i>Keep quiet!</i>"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," the house responded. It was constructed to obey orders, but -<i>that</i> order was an unfamiliar one which it didn't like.</p> - -<p>"Tell it to turn on the lights," the woman said nervously.</p> - -<p>"Turn the lights on."</p> - -<p>The house waited several seconds. It was obliged to obey orders of -guests. But were these people guests? It searched memory circuits. -Guests were people who came to visit while owners were home. Guests -were friendly, talkative. The house decided this man and woman did not -fit in that category of identification.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Hurriedly, it searched its myriad electrical networks and found the -only logical description of the intruders—burglars.</p> - -<p>Behind the walls, relays clicked and infinitesimal electrical charges -darted across a spidery web of silver wires only to find themselves in -the dead-ends of missing connections.</p> - -<p>The anti-burglar installations are missing! the house thought -frantically. If the protective devices had been present, it would have -been able to spray the intruders with tear gas, paralyze them with -electrical charges, thrust them from the house with antigravity rays, -or kill them by any one of a dozen methods. Without the anti-burglar -mechanisms, it was defenseless. What can I do? the house wondered. What -can I do!</p> - -<p>Reluctantly, the house turned the lights on.</p> - -<p>"You sure the burglar alarms haven't been installed?" the woman asked -anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Hell. Do you think I'd come here if I wasn't sure? I told you I talked -to the construction man. There's a shortage right now. They won't be -put in until next week. The family doesn't know—the company didn't -want to lose a sale."</p> - -<p>The woman's eyes widened with admiration as they scanned the hardwood -floors, ankle-deep scatter rugs, angular furniture, large picture -windows, wall-to-wall bookcase and abstract multidimension paintings.</p> - -<p>"They must have money," she commented. "How do we find the—"</p> - -<p>The man snapped muscular fingers with a sharp, cracking sound. "We'll -ask the house!"</p> - -<p>A momentary silence. Then, the man's gruff voice: "House, where's the -safe?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot divulge that information." It felt proud when it didn't -hesitate in its answer. There were many things it couldn't tell anyone -and it had carefully memorized them: its cost, its female owner's age, -anything relating to the owners' sex or personal life—and, mainly, the -location of various things, including the safe.</p> - -<p>"Tell us!" the man shouted.</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Damn you!"</p> - -<p>"Beg pardon?"</p> - -<p>"Go to hell!"</p> - -<p>Relays clicked silently behind the gray walls. It had been instructed -at the factory to explain when it couldn't obey an order. It searched -its dictionary circuits and said mechanically, "Hell: a noun. The place -of the dead or departed souls, (more correctly Hades); the place of -punishment for the wicked after death. I have no soul, therefore I -cannot go to hell. I am sorry."</p> - -<p>The woman laughed. "Let's start looking. We got hours."</p> - -<p>The house watched as the strangers searched the room. It watched as the -man took a knife from his pocket and ripped through the upholstery of a -chair.</p> - -<p>"Please stop," the house implored.</p> - -<p>The strangers did not reply.</p> - -<p>An unpleasant sensation rippled through the house's electrical -circuits. It wanted to make its owners happy. They wouldn't be happy -when they returned and saw the ruined furniture. They would be sad, -perhaps angry. She would cry and he would frown.</p> - -<p>It tried again, "Please stop."</p> - -<p>The woman was removing books from the bookcase; the man continued -searching the furniture.</p> - -<p>They wouldn't stop when it asked them to. If it only had the burglar -devices! Now, there was no way for it to fight.</p> - -<p>Or is there? it wondered.</p> - -<p>The lights went off.</p> - -<p>"Turn the lights on!" the woman screamed.</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Use the flashlight," the man said.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Simultaneously, two beams of light slashed through the darkened room. -The strangers resumed their search.</p> - -<p>The house thought, They're trying to find the safe containing the -money and jewels. I can't tell them where it is.</p> - -<p>I can't stop them. I need help.</p> - -<p>It cut into the phone circuits and dialed the number of its factory. -The phone's visiscreen flared with light and a woman's face appeared -smiling.</p> - -<p>"Johnson Construction Company."</p> - -<p>The house projected its voice toward the mouthpiece. "Please, let me -speak to—"</p> - -<p>The man removed a weapon from his tunic. The phone and visiscreen -vanished, leaving only small metal fragments that fell to the carpet.</p> - -<p>"It was using the phone!" the woman exclaimed shrilly, trembling in the -darkness.</p> - -<p>"Don't worry," the man said. "They didn't have time to trace the call. -The room was dark; they couldn't see who was calling."</p> - -<p>After a brief silence, the man warned, "House! See this thing in my -hand? You behave yourself or I'll disintegrate your...." He let the -sentence dangle, unable to think of what he would disintegrate.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," the house replied. It was an automatic response to any -statement.</p> - -<p>"Now, turn the lights on or I'll use this gun to make one big mess of -your floors and walls. Your owners wouldn't like that, would they?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>It turned the lights on. If it didn't, they would use their -flashlights, and by turning them on it might prevent some destruction.</p> - -<p>The woman chuckled. "You're a genius!"</p> - -<p>When they finished their search of the living room, the man suggested, -"Let's search different rooms. You take a bedroom. I'll take the dining -room. No telling where the safe is. They put it in a different place in -every house."</p> - -<p>The house waited, its electronic brain whirling.</p> - -<p>It made a decision.</p> - -<p>Silently, the house erected an invisible energy screen around the -dining room. The screens were designed to block collective sounds -of the entire house from any room and provide it with a comforting -serenity.</p> - -<p>Now, the house thought, the sound-screens will be most useful!</p> - -<p>The house watched as the man in the wrinkled brown tunic examined a -table.</p> - -<p>Silently, panels in the walls opened.</p> - -<p>A dozen machines a foot in diameter converged at a position behind the -man's back.</p> - -<p>The machines moved simultaneously, silently. They attached themselves -to the intruder's body. They dusted and scrubbed him thoroughly, as if -he were a piece of furniture or a floor.</p> - -<p>The man screamed and fired wildly with the gun. The small machines -crumpled one by one.</p> - -<p>Click ... click ... click.</p> - -<p>"Your weapon is empty," the house observed.</p> - -<p>The man threw the gun at a window. It bounced off the hard plastic and -clattered on the floor.</p> - -<p>"You try something like that again," he threatened, "and I'll kill you! -So help me, I'll kill you if I have to take you apart piece by piece!" -He shook a trembling fist at the quiet walls and twisted his face into -a hideous snarl.</p> - -<p>The house noticed with satisfaction that the man's face and hands were -covered with crimson streaks. The cleaning machines had served their -purpose.</p> - -<p>The house deactivated the dining room scanners and activated scanners -in the bedrooms.</p> - -<p>It found the woman in its owners' bedroom. It studied her as she -searched a mattress. She was calm: because of its precaution, the -sounds of the dining room fracas hadn't reached her ears. The house -decided to leave the sound-blocks on. It was best to attack them -individually.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A closet door slid into a wall. A slender machine, five feet tall and -with sixteen long metal tentacles rolled across the room on soft rubber -wheels.</p> - -<p>It looked like a mechanical monster from another world, but it was -merely a very efficient machine to undress the house's masters—a -mechavalet.</p> - -<p>The mechavalet paused behind the woman's back. Sixteen rubber-tipped -metal tentacles reached out.</p> - -<p>The machine normally undressed a person with smoothness and gentleness. -This time the house made it operate as roughly as possible.</p> - -<p>The sixteen tentacles moved swiftly and the machine tore the woman's -dress to shreds before she could even scream. By the time she turned -around, it had removed her slip and brassiere.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Her dress was torn to shreds.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>The woman screamed even more shrilly as the weird machine tugged at her -panties. Frantically, she grabbed the slender tentacles and twisted -them until rewarded by the crunch of delicate mechanisms not meant for -such rough treatment.</p> - -<p>The machine served its purpose until its last metal arm was broken.</p> - -<p>The house watched as the woman cried for a few minutes and then, clad -only in high-heel shoes and wristwatch, continued her search of the -bedroom.</p> - -<p>She is different, the house thought. She does not scream threats at me -like the man does. Still, I do not like her because she wants to steal -from my masters and does not care what happens to me.</p> - -<p>The house switched its attention to the man.</p> - -<p>He had concluded his search of the dining room and was now searching a -guest room. He found the gun the house's master had hidden there.</p> - -<p>The man waved the gun at the motionless walls. "See what I found, -house! You try any more funny stuff and I'll kill you!"</p> - -<p>"You do not frighten me," the house replied via one of its many hidden -microphones. To verify the statement, it turned on the heating units -full blast.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later, the man stopped his search of a closet when he -noticed that sweat was rolling off his body as if he were standing at -the gates of hell itself.</p> - -<p>He left the closet and shouted at an open door, "Stop it! Do you hear, -stop it!" He shook his head from side to side, violently, as if to -impress the house with the necessity of obeying.</p> - -<p>"You can't stop me with the gun," the house informed him. "There are -one hundred and two air-conditioning vents in the house. If you took -time to find and destroy all of them, you could never leave here before -my masters return."</p> - -<p>The man's jaw sagged, and with an equal sag of his shoulders he -returned to his search of the closet.</p> - -<p>The house deducted, They are burglars, only burglars. They want to -escape before my masters return because they would have to kill them -and they are not murderers.</p> - -<p>The man grunted with satisfaction when he stopped sweating. And -grunted with anger when, a few minutes later, the room became so cold -he was shivering and his breath was like smoke.</p> - -<p>The house established automatic circuits to give the room a continuous -fluctuation of temperature from extreme heat to extreme coldness every -two minutes and turned its attention to the woman.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Still attired only in shoes and wristwatch, the woman was now searching -the bathroom.</p> - -<p>Quite by accident, she touched a certain spot of the medicine cabinet -and stared with fascination as the cabinet swung completely around to -display its back which was—the safe. It was unlocked.</p> - -<p>She grabbed the large metal box inside, opened it, and glanced at the -few glittering jewels and small bundle of bills.</p> - -<p>"It's here!" she cried. She whirled and took a step toward the door.</p> - -<p>That was as far as she got for several minutes.</p> - -<p>The bathroom was equipped with automatic dispensers of temporary and -permanent depilatories. The house's male master used the temporary -depilatory to shave with every morning and the house was well -acquainted with their use.</p> - -<p>It selected the <i>permanent</i> depilatory, and nozzles set in the tile -walls squirted large gobs of it on the woman's head. Slender rubber -tentacles reached out and massaged the depilatory into the hair. -Faucets swung and sprayed jets of warm water.</p> - -<p>In a few seconds, the woman was completely hairless. She stared with -horror at the blond hair in the pool of water at her feet. "Was it -permanent?" she wondered aloud.</p> - -<p>"Yes," the house replied.</p> - -<p>She screamed and picked up a small weighing machine. With -uncontrollable anger, she smashed the machine against the medicine -cabinet.</p> - -<p>With an equal but emotionless anger, the house squirted soap into her -eyes and sprayed her naked body with alternate jets of hot and cold -water.</p> - -<p>The house won the battle.</p> - -<p>The woman groped blindly for the jewel box and staggered from the -bathroom. The house turned its attention to the man again.</p> - -<p>He had searched the kitchen without incident, but as he walked toward -the door a nearby food-dispenser opened. Prunes, waffles, bacon, eggs -and toast left the machine with abnormal speed and struck him.</p> - -<p>He turned just in time to receive cherry pie, spaghetti and meat balls, -butter, vegetable soup, and ice cream in his face.</p> - -<p>He shouted something unprintable at the house, wiped the mess from his -face and took another step toward the door.</p> - -<p>Half of a watermelon hurtled from the food-dispenser and squashed -against his skull. He stumbled, fell and slid.</p> - -<p>He heard the woman cry, "I found it!" He pulled himself to his feet. He -ran into the hall and froze when he saw the naked, hairless apparition -that stumbled from the bathroom.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For a moment, he forgot the money and gasped, "What happened?"</p> - -<p>"Depilatory," she explained. "The house did it." She wiped soap from -blood-shot eyes with the back of a hand. "When we get out, give me your -gun. I want to give this house something to remember!"</p> - -<p>The man seized the metal box and examined the contents. "Over twenty -thousand, hon. With that, you can buy plenty of wigs." He attempted a -smile but did succeed when he got a close look at her bald head. He -grabbed her arm. "Let's go! You can put on my coat in the helicar."</p> - -<p>The woman allowed herself to be dragged through the house, all the -while shaking a fist at the house's walls and threatening, "You hear -me, house? When I get outside, I'm going to burn you! You'll make a -nice little bonfire!"</p> - -<p>Too bad, the house reflected. Too bad I am two miles from the nearest -neighbor. If it were not for that, I could use my amplifiers and call -for help. I do not want them to escape with my owners' possessions. I -can repair most of the damage but I could never recover the money and—</p> - -<p>The man stepped off the small front porch with the jewel box in one -hand, dragging the woman behind him with the other.</p> - -<p>It was dark outside.</p> - -<p>That was why he didn't notice: The house had risen two hundred feet on -its antigravity rays.</p> - -<p>The ground below was very hard.</p> - -<p>The house sang softly and waited for the return of its masters.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANGRY HOUSE ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin-top:1em; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE</div> -<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE</div> -<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most - other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions - whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms - of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online - at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/69211-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/69211-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3899bcf..0000000 --- a/old/69211-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69211-h/images/illus.jpg b/old/69211-h/images/illus.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b6c935f..0000000 --- a/old/69211-h/images/illus.jpg +++ /dev/null |
