"Well," said Kellard. And after a moment, "Come on in."
Halfrich came in. He sat down and looked interestedly around at the old room and furniture.
"Nice," he murmured. Then he looked at Kellard and said, "All right, let's have it. Why did you quit?"
Kellard shrugged. "It was all in my letter of resignation. I'm getting a bit old and tired for Survey, I—"
"Bull," said Halfrich. "It was something about that crack-up on Sunside, wasn't it?"
Kellard said slowly, "Yes. The deaths of Binetti and Morse, and the after-effects of that shock, made me feel I didn't have it any more."
Halfrich looked at him. "You've had crack-ups before. You've seen men die. You've had almost as many years in Survey as I have, and you've taken as many jolts. You're lying, Kellard."
Kellard got up, and walked a few steps and swung around again.
"So I'm lying. I want out, and what difference does it make why?"
"It makes a difference," Halfrich said grimly. "I remember from away back at Academy, even though you were two years after me. You were the space-craziest cadet there was. You spouted the glories of the conquest of space until we were all sick of it. You haven't changed in all the years in Survey—until now. I want to know what can change a man like that."