Чужак в чужой стране

           Oncewasenoughanditsavedmychumfrommakingthesamemistake.Allitgotmewasmyyoungbottomwellwarmedwithapeachswitch.And.thatwastheendofthe‘crosspatch’decision."

           Jubalclearedhisthroat."JustamomentMr.Kung.Knowingthatsomeonewascertaintoraisethisnon-existentissueItriedtoexplaintheLarkinDecisiontomyclient.AtfirstbehadtroublerealizingthatanyonecouldthinkthatthislegalfictionwouldapplytoMars.Afterall,Marsisinhabited,byanoldandwiserace–mucholderthanyours,sir,andpossiblywiser.Butwhenhedidunderstandit,hewasamused.Justthat,sir–tolerantlyamused.Once–justonce–Iunder-ratedmymother’spowertopunishasmallboy’simpudence.Thatlessonwascheap,abargain-Butthisplanetcannotaffordsuchalessononaplanetaryscale.Beforeweattempttoparceloutlandswhichdonotbelongtous,itbehoovesustobeverysurewhatpeachswitchesarehangingintheMartiankitchen."

           Kunglookedblandlyunconvinced-"Dr.Harshaw,iftheLarkinDecisionisnomorethanasmallboy’sfolly?whywerenationalhonorsrenderedtoMr.Smith?"

           Jubalshrugged-"Thatquestionshouldbeputtothegovernment,notme.ButIcantellyouhowIinterpretedthem–aselementarypolitenesstotheAncientOnesofMars."

           "Please?"

           "Mr.Kung,thosehonorswerenohollowechooftheLarkinDecision.Inafashionquitebeyondhumanexperience,Mr.SmithisthePlanetMars."

           Kungdidnotevenblink."Continue."

           "Or,rather,theentireMartianrace