Чужак в чужой стране

           Dawndidn’tseemtobeaffectedbyliquoratall–whichwasprobablywhyhehadgoneoverhisusualquota.Dawn?whatagal,whatagal!Shehadn’tevenseemedannoyedwhen,inamomentofemotionalconfusion,hehadcalledherJill–shehadseemedpleased.

           Hefoundnooneinthebigroomandwonderedwhattimeitwas?Notthathegaveadamn,exceptthathisstomachtoldhimthatitwaslongpastbreakfasttime.Hewentintothekitchentoseewhathecouldscrounge.

           Amanintherelookedupashecamein."Ben!"

           "Well!Hi,Duke!"

           Dukegavehimabearhugandslappedhimontheback."Ben,you’reasightforsoreeyes!Gosh,it’sgoodtoseeyou.ThouartGod.Howdoyoulikeyoureggs?"

           "ThouartGod.Areyouthecook?"

           "OnlywhenIcan’tfindsomebodyelsetodoitforme–suchasrightnow.Tonydoesmostofit.Wealldosome.EvenMikeunlessTonycatcheshimandchaseshimout–Mikeistheworld’sworstcook,barnone."Dukewentonbreakingeggsintoadish.

           Benmovedinonthejob."Youlookaftertoastandcoffee.AnyWorcestershiresaucearoundhere?"

           "Younameit,Pat’sgotit.Here."Dukeadded,"Ilookedinonyouahalfhourago,butyouwerestillsawingwood.I’vebeenbusyoryou’vebeenbusyeversinceyougothere–untilnow."

           "Whatdoyoudoaroundhere,Duke?Asidefromcookingwhenyoucan’tavoidit?"

           "Well,I’madeacon?andI’llbeapriestsomeday.ButI’mslow–notthatitmatters.IstudyMartian?everybodydoesthat.