"Welcome, Jimmy." Grundy smiled, "now you are one of us."
One of them.
He had exchanged the peace and security of resting in Grandfather's arms, of putting his weary head against Grandpop's long beard ... Grandpop? How fast he was sliding.... He had exchanged the surety of his life, for what?
For the friendship of two drinking companions. Somehow the swap did not seem to his advantage.
Bowdler seemed almost to be able to read his mind, for he said, "Buck up, Jimmy. You're going to find it's good to be a whole man. There are rewards!"
But all Comstock could remember was the ease and safety of that which he was surrendering. It came hard. Very hard.
"Growing up is always difficult," Bowdler said, his voice soft and full of understanding. "But I promise you there are rewards."
What rewards?
Before Comstock could put his question into words, there was a crashing sound at the door, the real door, not the hidden one by which they had entered the sacred precincts of the Gantry's room.
The primapara of the door trembled beneath the assault that was being launched on it.