Odd how formidable seemed the prospect of meeting this gigantic social obligation of facing the whole world. Maybe two years away from Earth was too long.
He could hear the interminable speeches droning away outside the opening doors.
Everybody was waiting out there on that platform.
Presidents and envoys from the Big Three nations, and many slightly less important figures. Everybody who could possibly claim to be anybody.
"From now on," whispered Hinton, "we live like Kings! A pension for life. And a hero forever. The dames—"
"Quiet, please," whispered Captain Stromberg.
Hinton dropped back. He nudged Johnson. "Even the thing here, your friend that walks like a man, will be treated by the world like a prince."
Johnson squeezed Hinton's arm and Hinton winced. "Watch what you say, Hinton. It knows some English now."
"You treat it like it's a human being," Hinton said.
Johnson had no answer to that except agreement. Changing Hinton's attitudes was something else again. Johnson didn't consider the project quite worth the time and trouble. He shrugged.