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of several design variations ,” he said.  “ If I’ m going to make one, I might as well make all of them.  That way we can see which one is most functional and which one you find most esthetically pleasing . ”
    “ Great ,” said Astrid.  “ Get started right away.  Say, build at least seven prototypes, even if you have to double up a couple . ”
    “ Understood ,” said Mr. Brown, with a smile.
    “ I’ m going to get started right now on the control systems ,” Astrid continued.
    “ But Astrid ,” said Denise.  “I’ m hungry.  I t’ s past lunch, and I ought to get to go to lunch with either you or my dad, not watch both of you work . ”
    “ You have to eat too, Astrid ,” said Mr. Brown.  “ Why do n’ t we all go downstairs to the cafeteria and have some roast beef sandwiches . ”
    Astrid stared at her workbench longingly for a moment, but at last agreed.
    “ Can I have hot chocolate with my sandwich ?” asked Denise.
    “ Sure Honey ,” said her dad, as the three of them left the lab and headed toward the elevator.

Chapter Seven: The Trouble with Valerie
     
    Austin was given a clean bill of health by Dr. Martinez in the infirmary, but Astrid and the two Valeries still felt that they should go home with him and explain to his grandmother what had happened.  The elderly woman was so happy that Austin had brought some friends home, that she did n’ t seem to mind him having been dropped on his head.  They sat in her living room as she plied them with cookies and milk and told several stories of her work at Maxxim Industries when Astri d’ s father was a boy.  Astrid in particular was fascinated when she talked about the girl invento r’ s grandfather creating the plans for the campus.  She was going to ask her father about it, but by the time she got home she had forgotten.
    It had been St. Patric k’ s Day all day, but since it was Saturday, Astrid had n’ t even noticed.  If it had fallen on a school day, everyone would have been scurrying to make sure they had something green on.  Since it was the weekend, nobody seemed to bother.  Astrid had worn her lab coat most of the day, but her radiation badge had been green.  That evening though, Dr. Maxxim had made a feast of corned beef and cabbage in honor of the day.
    “ Wha t’ s all this about ,” asked Astrid.  “ W e’ re not even Irish . ”
    “ Everyon e’ s Irish on Saint Patt y’ s day ,” her father replied.
    “ If you say so . ”
    “ Get into the spirit, Astrid ,” he continued.  “ I think we ought to celebrate all the holidays, not just Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July . ”
    “ I’ m not complaining ,” said Astrid.  “ I like corned beef . ”
    “ Well, w e’ ll do it up right for the next holiday too.  What is it?  Earthday ? ”
    “ Easter ,” corrected Mrs. Maxxim.
    “ Excellent ,” said Dr. Maxxim.  “ W e’ ll put a big decorated egg in the center of the table and eat a bunny rabbit . ”
    After dinner, Astrid went for a swim and then curled up on the sofa in the family room with Jane Auste n’ s Sense and Sensibility .  She had read about thirty pages when her phone rang.  She answered it to find Denise on the line.
    “ Wha t’ s up ? ”
    “ Do you want to come over and spend the night ? ”
    “ Sure ,” said Astrid.  “ Why the late notice ? ”
    “ I’ m just bored out of my brain ,” said Denise.  “ My dads decided to go to a movie and Dennis is busy working on something for school . ”
    “ Let me ask my mom and, unless you hear back from me, I’ ll be right over . ”
    Astri d’ s mother gave her consent, and when Astrid returned from packing an overnight bag, her mother was waiting to drive her to Denis e’ s house.
    “ Tha t’ s really not necessary, Mom.  I’ ve walked from here to Fourth Street a thousand times . ”
    “ It will be dark before you get there ,” replied her mother.  “ I wo n’ t have you gallivanting all