Lynn said, "I can't stand much more of this."
"Neither can I," Captain Bascom agreed.
Matt said, "Suppose we turn around and go back. I think we've seen enough for today. If we have to come into the city, we can use the space suits."
"Yes," said Captain Bascom, "Let's get back. By all means. I—I.... Please excuse me, gentlemen, I'm making an ass of myself. But I left a wife and two children in Detroit. I...." His voice choked up.
Matt saw that tears were trickling down the Captain's gaunt cheeks, and looked away in embarrassment.
Back at the ship, the director received Captain Bascom's report stoically. They were in Trigg's office aboard the Argus—the five men and the girl who had made the dash into Louisville and back.
Matt sank into a chair, watching the director's face narrowly as he read the copy of the Shepherdsville Gazette. Matt felt tired, discouraged, listless. The repeated shocks of their discoveries had been insidious. He was appalled suddenly by the catastrophe which seemed to have engulfed the whole world.
He felt a small hand slip into his. It was Lynn. She summoned a smile. The girl looked washed out and frightened. Her blue eyes were enormous.
After a while Trigg folded the paper, looking intently from face to face.