Чужак в чужой стране

           "PoorMike!Hegotdowntothebeachandthrewoffhisrobeandheadedforthewater?lookinglikeaGreekgodandjustasunawareoflocalconventions–andthentheriotStartedandIcameawakefastandgrabbedsomeclothesmyselfandgotdowntherejustintimetokeephimoutofjail?andfetchedhimbacktotheroomandhespenttherestofthedayinatrance."

           Jillgotamomentaryfarawaylook."Andheneedsmenow,too,soImustrunalong.Kissmegood-night,Ben;I’llseeyouinthemorning."

           "You’llbegoneallnight?"

           "Probably.It’safairlybigtransitionclassand,truthfully,Mikehasjustbeenkeepingthembusythepasthalfhourandmorewhilewevisited.Butthat’sallright."Shestoodup,pulledhimgentlytohisfeetandwentintohisarms.

           Presentlyshebrokefromthekissbutnotfromhisarmsandmurmured,"Bendarling,you’vebeentakinglessons.Whew!"

           "Me?I’vebeenutterlyfaithfultoyou–inmyownway."

           "InthesamewayI’vebeentoyou?thenicestway.Iwasn’tcomplaining?IjustthinkDorcashasbeenhelpingyoutopracticekissing."

           "Some,maybe.Nosy."

           "Uhhuh,I’malwaysnosy.Theclasscanwaitwhileyoukissmeoncemore.I’lltrytobeDorcas."

           "Youbeyourself."

           "Iwouldbe,anyway.Self.ButMikesaysthatDorcaskissesmorethoroughly–‘groksakissmore’–thananyone."

           "Quitchattering."

           Shedid,forawhile,thensighed."Transitionclass,hereIcome–glowinglikealightningbug.Takegoodcareofhim,Dawn."

           "Iwill"