In Robert A. Heinlein's latest science fiction novel ["Citizen of the Galaxy"] a young boy searches the world of the future for the family he has never had. Thorby at first attaches himself to Baslim the Cripple, the ancient beggar on Jubbul, capital of the Nine Worlds; Baslim had bought Thorby out of slavery and was Earth's master spy. When Baslim's disguise is penetrated and he dies, Thorby finds another family among the space-hopping Traders. Then, while serving in the ...