Daneel is not accustomed to thinking of himself as a child, and he frowns thoughtfully at this idea. One more level to consider.

"I still have much to consider," he says. "I am trying to incorporate this new information into my programming, but it is a slow process. I believe that I can do it. The existence of the Third Law will always make it easier for me to put someone else's well-being before my own, but that is not necessarily unfortunate, in my opinion."

A strange idea, though: he could protect his own existence without having to rationalize his way past the First or Second Laws.

"Your presence makes it easier for me to attempt this."