...he holds the boy, feeling the jump of his pulses, his stiff sinews, the ropes of his muscles, and makes sounds of comfort, as he did to his children when they were small, or as he does to a spaniel whose tail has been trodden on. Comfort is often, he finds, imparted at the cost of a flea or two.523
The passage describes a tender moment where a man comforts a boy by holding him closely. He is aware of the boy's physical reactions, such as his pulsing veins and tight muscles, which evoke memories of comforting his own children or a hurt dog. This nostalgic connection highlights the universal instinct to provide solace to those in distress.
The man's comfort is expressed through sounds and gestures that convey empathy and care. However, the passage also notes that this act of kindness is not without its sacrifices, as he acknowledges that offering comfort sometimes comes with minor discomforts, like dealing with fleas, symbolizing the costs associated with nurturing others.
