I stood for a moment, holding the papers in my hand, looking from one to the other of that quartet of blank, silent faces.
Finally, Boswell cleared his throat. "Harry, let me get this straight. You think this ... what's his name? Adam-Two. You actually think he's—ah—growing up?"
I nodded. "There isn't a doubt in my mind, and Ruth agrees."
"And you think we oughta take him back to Earth with us?"
"Sure, I do. I think that's the only solution, don't you?"
Eaker coughed discreetly. "I'm afraid it isn't any solution at all."
"What would we do with him?" Hoppy wanted to know.
"Look," I said, "the kid is a misfit. He doesn't belong here. He belongs on Earth where he can get an education and maybe a chance to ... to make something of himself."
Boswell cleared his throat again. "Seems like he'd be a worse misfit on Earth than he is here, Harry."
"He would not!" I snapped. "He's a sharp kid. He'd adapt himself in no time."