There was a voice, a long way off. It said, "God, he's strong!" Over and over. It got louder. There were weights on his arms and legs, and he couldn't throw them off. He was pressed against something.
It was the wall. He saw that after a while. The wall where the Officer had been standing. There were six men holding him, three on each side. The Officer was gone.
Kirk relaxed. He was shivering and covered with rime from body sweat. Somebody whistled.
"Six men! Didn't know the kid had it in him."
The Officer's voice said dully, "No discipline. Better take him home."
Kirk tried to turn. The six men swung with him. Kirk said, "You better discipline me. You better kill me, because, if you don't, I'll kill you."
"I don't blame you, boy. Go and rest. You'll understand."
"I'll understand, all right." Kirk's voice was a hoarse, harsh whisper that came out by itself and wouldn't be stopped. "I'll understand about Pa, and the Ship with the heat-stones in it, and the Captain's yellow daughter getting fat and warm while my sisters freeze and go hungry. I'll understand, and I'll make everybody else understand, too!"
The Officer's eyes held a quick fire. "Boy! Do you know what you're saying?"