“Besides, I’m too old for these silly feelings anyway…” he thought as his spectacles were starting to get foggy.

Hodley had to encourage himself like this nearly every day; no one else would. He wasn’t sure if he was either getting used to the world seeming to be against him and treating him poorly, or if he was actually being worn down, little by little, piece by piece.

The bath was a multi-ruby bath type so it heated much quicker, but the water still took time to fill it. After the temperature was right, he went to tell Matheson the bath was ready before returning to his meal.