"Yes, but you don't understand, Biddy. I wouldn't be helping Mr. Haney. I'd be hurting him."
"Hurting him?"
"Yes. Mr. Haney is far happier the way he is than if he had his sight back. With his eyes functioning he'd be just like anyone else."
"That's what he wants."
"No he doesn't. Being blind makes him different and he's grown to depend on that difference as a staff of comfort. He lives on the sympathy he gets from people who can see. Mr. Haney doesn't know it himself but he would be very miserable if we gave him back his sight. As I said, Biddy, I can't change people's minds. I'm no miracle man."
"That's what Mom and Pop said happened to me. A miracle. Was that right, Joe?"
"No Biddy. You see where I come from we're a little further ahead in some scientific developments than the people down here. The expansion and reconstruction of bone and tissue isn't very difficult when you know how and have the right sonic frequencies to work with."
"I see," Biddy answered gravely although she didn't see at all. "But what about Davey Taber? He doesn't really want to be crippled does he?"
"I doubt it. Maybe we'll have a chance to see...."