When she said that, Johnny looked down at his silver knees self-consciously. In time, he hoped, he would grow accustomed to it. But right now he felt himself somehow between two worlds, divorced from his own people but not ready to accept the nomadic existence of the Shining Ones. Starbuck grinned without humor. "Well, then he's in time to help us move, although I'm opposed to it." "To what?" Diane demanded angrily. "To Johnny? That's just too bad." "Will you let me finish? Not to Johnny, if that's his name. To the move. Keleher has decided we have to move because a band of Robots trooped through earlier today. Maybe you saw them." "We certainly did," Diane informed him. "Well, I don't like it. Every time the Robots pass we have to start all over. What's so bad about the Robots anyway? They never bother us, do they?" "They conscript us, whether we like it or not." "Well, what of it? Rumor has it the conscriptees live like kings anyhow. We've got nothing to fear from the Robots." "That's a matter of opinion, Harry." At that moment, another man joined them. Johnny hardly had time to realize that he did not like the man named Harry. The newcomer was a big man, bigger than DeReggio, with huge shoulders almost three feet across and a long mane of graying hair almost reaching them. He wore a beard, spade-shaped and also gray, and covered his legs not with the expected buckskin but with khaki trousers he had probably stolen from one of the villages. He greeted Diane briefly, then said, "Starbuck here told me how you were going to nurse a Plague victim back to health. Is this the man?" Diane nodded and Keleher stuck out a powerful hand which Johnny pumped vigorously. "Glad to have you with us, son. In time you'll learn we're not the monsters you were led to believe all your life. But mark me--you owe your allegiance to us henceforth--provided you decide to stay." Johnny did not have to be introduced. Starbuck had mentioned a man named Keleher as their leader, and the newcomer spoke not with the bluster and arrogance of a leader unsure of his position, but with the calm self-assurance of a respected and powerful chieftain. Keleher would make a first-rate friend but a terrible enemy. "He'll stay," Diane spoke for Johnny. "He doesn't look like a hermit, does he?" "Never can tell. Where are you from, son?" "Hamilton Village." Keleher's smile was wry, almost rueful. "Will you put in with us?" "I guess so." Keleher shrugged, then took Diane aside and whispered to her. After that the big man turned and walked away. Diane was quiet. "What's the matter?" Johnny wanted to know. "Does he always smile like that?" "No, Johnny." "Then tell me." "We're going to leave this area because of the Robots. Starbuck already told you that. We're going to travel light but we're still going to restock some of our supplies for the journey." "I still don't see--" "I don't know how to tell you this. The nearest village is Hamilton." "So?"