Chapter 7, Transit Summary

Dr. Heywood Floyd remembers the first part of a line from a war poem, but not the rest. Two of his friends visit, George and Jerry, and they talk about Dr. Floyd's voyage to Haley's comet and the possibility that he might not return. George and Jerry give Dr. Floyd an antique painting of castaways on a raft.

Dr. Floyd's family history receives some explanation. He has lived so long that his family seems like a group of friendly strangers. He wonders what his grandson, Chris, is doing. At the end of the chapter, Dr. Floyd remembers the second part of the line of poetry. The whole thing reads, "I too take leave of all I ever had. I have been happy: happy now I go."

Chapter 7, Transit Analysis

The voyage to Haley's comet carries certain risks, and Dr. Floyd prepares...