Чужак в чужой стране

           "AreLarryandDukeandIgoingtohavetoputupwithourowncookinguntilIcandigupmorehelp?"

           "We’vetalkedthatover,"Mikeanswered."Jillisgoingwithme–nobodyelse.Idoneedsomebodywithme,Jubal;IknowquitewellthatIdon’tknow,asyet,howpeopledothingsoutintheworld.Istillmakemistakes;Ineedaguide,foratime.IthinkitoughttobeJill,becauseshewantstogoonlearningMartian–andtheothersthinkso,too.ButifyouwantJilltostay,thenitcouldbesomeoneelse.DukeandLarryareeachwillingtohelpme,ifyoucan’tspareoneofthegirls."

           "YoumeanIgetavote?"

           "What?Jubal,ithastobeyourdecision.Weallknowthat."

           (Son,you’reagent–andyou’veprobablyjusttoldyourfirstlie–IdoubtifIcouldholdevenDukeifyousetyourmindagainstit.)"IguessitoughttobeJill.Butlook,kids–Thisisstillyourhome.Thelatchstringisout."

           "Weknowthat–andwe’llbeback.Againwewillsharewater."

           "Wewill,son."

           "Yes,Father."

           "Huh?"

           "Jubal,thereisnoMartianwordfor‘father.’ButlatelyIhavegrokkedthatyouaremyfather.AndJill’sfather."

           JubalglancedatJill."Mmm,Igrok.Takecareofyourselves."

           "Yes.Come,Jill."Theyweregonebeforeheleftthetable.