Тарзан, приёмыш обезьян

           Ifheshouldnevertouchheragain,shereasoned,shewouldneverfeelattractedtowardhim.Shehadnotlovedhim,then.Ithadbeennothingmorethanapassinghallucination,super-inducedbyexcitementandbypersonalcontact.

           Excitementwouldnotalwaysmarktheirfuturerelations,shouldshemarryhim,andthepowerofpersonalcontacteventuallywouldbedulledbyfamiliarity.

           AgainsheglancedatClayton.Hewasveryhandsomeandeveryinchagentleman.Sheshouldbeveryproudofsuchahusband.

           Andthenhespoke—aminutesooneroraminutelatermighthavemadeallthedifferenceintheworldtothreelives—butchancesteppedinandpointedouttoClaytonthepsychologicalmoment.

           "Youarefreenow,Jane,"hesaid."Won’tyousayyes—Iwilldevotemylifetomakingyouveryhappy."

           "Yes,"shewhispered.

           ThateveninginthelittlewaitingroomatthestationTarzancaughtJanealoneforamoment.

           "Youarefreenow,Jane,"hesaid,"and_I_havecomeacrosstheagesoutofthedimanddistantpastfromthelairoftheprimevalmantoclaimyou—foryoursakeIhavebecomeacivilizedman—foryoursakeIhavecrossedoceansandcontinents—foryoursakeIwillbewhateveryouwillmetobe.Icanmakeyouhappy,Jane,inthelifeyouknowandlovebest.