How soon his red anger died! Remorse, regret, eyes staring in bewilderment at the thick brown strap in his hand.
"He could have destroyed him," he said, in a voice I didn't know. "He could have smashed the work of a life-time. Forty-four experiments—twelve years—and he could have—"
Oh, Father, how I wronged you! Again, again!
But how soon I learned. Cold steel or warm flesh—how little the difference really mattered! My mother's sleepytime kiss, once so sweet and comforting; my father's gruff hair-rumpling; how trivial these childhood pleasures seemed after the lessons of Faw-Faw, the strength of Faw-Faw, the quick thrilling response of Faw-Faw to every childish command.
Oh, Faw-Faw! How well I learned your ways!
Information, registration, consideration ... MEMORY:
"A whole year?" I said.
"Maybe a little less," said my mother.
"It's a very important assignment," said my father.