Чужак в чужой стране

           Itwasn’t,shetoldherself,asifanythingwerereallywrong

           "Hey!Boardman!Snapoutofthefog-Iaskedyouaquestion."

           JilllookeduptofindMollyWheelwright,thewing’sdietician,lookingather."Sorry.Iwasthinkingaboutsomethingelse."

           "Isaid,’Sincewhendoesyourfloorputcharitypatientsinluxurysuites?’

           "Isn’tK-12onyourfloor?Orhavetheymovedyou?"

           "K-12?Certainly.Butthat’snotacharitycase;it’saricholdwoman,wealthythatshecanpaytohaveadoctorwatcheverybreathshedraws."

           "Humph!Ifshe’swealthy,shemusthavecomeintomoneyawfullysuddenly.She’sbeenintheN.P.wardofthegeriatricssanctuaryforthepastseventeenmonths."

           "Mustbesomemistake."

           "Notmine-Idon’tletmistakeshappeninmydietkitchen.ThattrayisatrickyoneandIcheckitmyself-fat-freediet(she’shadhergallbladderout)andalonglistofsensitivities,plusconcealedmedication.Believeme,dear,adietordercanbeasindividualasafingerprint."MissWheelwrightstoodup."Gottarun,chicks.Iwishtheywouldletmerunthiskitchenforawhile.HogwallowCafeteria!"

           "WhatwasMollysoundingoffabout?"oneofthenursesasked.

           "Nothing.She’sjustmixedup."ButJillcontinuedtothinkaboutit.ItoccurredtoherthatshemightlocatetheManfromMarsbymakinginquiriesaroundthedietkitchens.Sheputtheideaoutofhermind;itwouldtakeafulldaytovisitallthedietkitchensintheacresofgroundcoveredbythesprawlingbuildings.