 How is Phil feeling at the beginning of the story?
Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction December 1955. Phil Conover pulled the zipper of his flight suit up the front of his long, thin body and came into the living room. Yes, I'm sure you did," she said, finishing the ritual; but her voice broke, and she turned her head away. If anything could go wrong, they wouldn't be sending me; you know that. "Phil, if you go, I won't be here when you get back—if you get back. No matter how much I love you, I just couldn't take that, Phil. "I wish you had told me this a long time ago, Mary," Phil said.
 He is upset by the way Mary stifles his hopes.
 He is nervous about the mission but hopeful that it will be a success and he could return home.  He is uncertain if he is the right person to go on this mission.  He is upset by the way Mary stifles his hopes.  He is too excited about fulfilling his dream that he ignores everything else going on around him.