Чужак в чужой стране

           "I’mnotsure,Jubal,"Jillinterrupted,"thatMikeeverknewthatitwasahospital–atleastInevertoldhimitwasone.Letmetryit."

           "Goahead."

           "Mike,youremembertheplacewhereyouwere,whereyoulivedaloneinaroom,beforeIdressedyouandtookyouaway."

           "Yes,Jill."

           "ThenwewenttoanotherplaceandIundressedyouandgaveyouabath."

           Smithsmiledinpleasedrecollection."Yes.Itwasagreathappiness."

           "ThenIdriedyouoff–andthentwomencame."

           Smith’ssmilewipedaway.Herelivedthatcriticalcuspofdecisionandthehorrorofhisdiscoverythat,somehow,hehadchosenwrongactionandhurthiswaterbrother.Hebegantotrembleandhuddleintohimself.

           Jillsaidloudly,"Mike!Stopit!Stopitatonce!Don’tyoudaregoaway!"

           Miketookcontrolofhisbeinganddidwhathiswaterbrotherrequiredofhim."Yes,Jill,"heagreed.

           "Listentome,Mike.Iwantyoutothinkaboutthattime–butyoumustn’tgetupsetorgoaway.Justrememberit.Thereweretwomenthere.Oneofthempulledyououtintothelivingroom."

           "Theroomwiththejoyfulgrassesonthefloor,"heagreed.

           "That’sright.HepulledyououtintotheroomwiththegrassonthefloorandItriedtostophim.Hehitme.Thenhewasgone.Youremember?"

           "Youarenotangry?"

           "What?No,no,notatall.ButIwasfrightened.Onemandisappeared,thentheotheronepointedagunatme–andthenhewasgone,too.Iwasveryfrightened–butIwasnotangry."