"No, no," Kirk said, and he tried to keep the panic out of his voice. "Harry, I'm telling you the truth!"
Loren's mouth showed a faint surface of his yellow teeth. He shook his head, slowly, back and forth, his fingers tightening about the animal's neck.
"Harry, listen," Kirk said, watching Loren's squeezing fingers, "it's over now. You don't have to wait any longer. I'll take you back now. I'll take you home!"
Loren froze, staring. "Home?" he said.
"That's right," Kirk said. "That's right, Harry."
"Home," Loren breathed, and his eyes were suddenly like a child's, wide and unbelieving.
"The waiting's all over," Kirk said. "You don't have to wait any longer."
"I don't have to wait any longer," Loren repeated softly, and his hand dropped from the neck of the animal.
Kirk watched Loren and the swaying animal. "The rocket's ready," he said.