Чужак в чужой стране

           Jillthoughtsomewhatsadlythatshewouldlike,sometimes,totakealongjustoneortwothings.ButMikealwaysmovedonwithjusttheclothesonhisback–andseemedtogrokthatshepreferreditthatway,too."I’llwearthatprettyblueone."

           Itfloatedouttoher,poiseditselfoverher,wriggleddownontoherassheheldupherhands;thezipperclosed.Shoestosuititwalkedtowardher,waitedwhileshesteppedintothem."I’mready,Mike."

           Mikehadcaughtthewistfulflavorofherthought,butnottheconcept;itwastooalientoMartianideas."Jill?Doyouwanttostopandgetmarried?"

           Shethoughtaboutit."Wecouldn’t,today,Mike.It’sSunday.Wecouldn’tgetalicense."

           "Tomorrow,then.Iwillremember.Igrokthatyouwouldlikeit."

           Shethoughtaboutit."No,Mike."

           "Whynot,Jill?"

           "Tworeasons.One,wecouldn’tbeanycloserthroughit,becausewealreadysharewater.That’slogic,bothinEnglishandinMartian.Yes?"

           "Yes."

           "Andtwo,areasonvalidjustinEnglish.Iwouldn’thaveDorcasandAnneandMiriam–andPatty–thinkthatIwastryingtocrowdthemoutandoneofthemmightthinkso."

           "No,Jill,noneofthemwouldthinkso."

           "Well,Iwon’tchanceit,becauseIdon’tneedit.Becauseyoumarriedmeinahospitalroomagesandagesago.Justbecauseyouwerethewayyouare.BeforeIevenguessedit."Shehesitated."Butthereissomethingyoumightdoforme."

           "What,Jill?"

           "Well,youmightcallmepetnamesoccasionally!ThewayIdoyou."