Чужак в чужой стране

           JubalsatforwardwithStinkyMahmoudandrelaxed–discoveredthathewasnottired,notunhappy,notevenfrettingtogetbacktohissanctuary.HediscussedwithMahmoudhisplanstogotoMarstolearnthelanguagemoredeeplyafter,Jubalwaspleasedtolearn,completingtheworkonthedictionary,whichMahmoudestimatedataboutayearmoreforhisownpartincheckingthephoneticspellings.

           Jubalsaidgrumpily,"IsupposeIshallbeforcedtolearnthepeskystuffmyself,justtounderstandthechattergoingonaroundme."

           "Asyougrok,brother."

           "Well,damnit,Iwon’tputupwithassignedlessonsandregularschoolhours!I’llworkassuitsme,justasIalwayshave."

           Mahmoudwassilentafewmoments."Jubal,weusedclassesandschedulesattheTemplebecausewewerehandlinggroups.Butsomegotspecialattention."

           "That’swhatI’mgoingtoneed."

           "Anne,forexample,ismuch,muchfartheralongthansheeverletyouknow.Withhertotal-recallmemory,shelearnedMartianinnothingflat,hookedinrapportwithMike."

           "Well,Idon’thavethatsortofmemory–andMike’snotavailable."

           "No,butAnneis.And,stubbornasyouare,neverthelessDawncanplaceyouinrapportwithAnne–ifyou’lllether.Andyouwon’tneedDawnforthesecondlesson;Annewillthenbeabletohandleitall.You’llbethinkinginMartianinsideofdays,bythecalendar–muchlongerbysubjectivetime,butwhocares?"Mahmoudleeredathim."You’llenjoythewarming-upexercises."

           Jubalbristled