"Snap out of it," he said gruffly. "Don't bawl over Ben - not in my presence.  The worst that can possibly have happened to him is death and that we are all in for - if not this morning, then in days, or weeks, or years at most.  Talk to your protégé Mike about it.  He regards 'discorporation' as less to be feared than a scolding - and he may be right.  Why, if I told Mike we were going to roast him and serve him for dinner tonight, he would thank me for the honor with his voice choked with gratitude."