 Why is it ironic that Henry was uncomfortable to see his house rebuilt?
Several of the churches in town had shown indecision as to how to instruct their parishioners to treat him. Carlisle had said his position was analogous to Columbus', to Vasco De Gama's, to Preshoff's when the Russian returned from the Moon—but more so. Which was not what he'd considered at all important on leaving Walter Reed Hospital early this morning; which was something he found distasteful, something he felt beneath them both. After all, he was still Henry Devers, the same man who had left home eleven months ago, with a love for family and friends which was, if anything, stronger than before.
 He himself was rebuilt, in some sense.
 He used to like change, and always encouraged remodeling projects  It used to be his wife that hated change, not Henry.  He himself was rebuilt, in some sense.  He had said he would do the remodeling himself when he got back, but it was done when he arrived.