Чужак в чужой стране

           Jilltriedtomakearoadblockofherself.ThemancalledJohnson,twicehermass,putahandonhershoulder,brushedherasideandwentonbacktowardthebedroom.Jillsaidshrilly,"Where’syourwarrant?Let’sseeyourcredentials-thisisanoutrage!"

           Berquistsaidsoothingly,"Don’tbedifficult,sweetheart.Wedon’treallywantyou;wejustwanthim.Behaveyourselfandtheymightgoeasyonyou."

           Shekickedathisshin.Hesteppedbacknimbly,whichwasjustaswell,asJillwasstillbarefooted."Naughty,naughty,"hechided."Johnson!Youfindhim?"

           "He’shere,Mr.Berquist.Andnakedasanoyster.Threeguesseswhattheywereupto."

           "Nevermindthat.Bringhimhere."

           Johnsonreappeared,shovingSmithaheadofhim,controllinghimbytwistingonearmbehindhisback."Hedidn’twanttocome."

           "He’llcome,he’llcome!"

           JillduckedpastBerquist,threwherselfatJohnson.Withhisfreehandheslappedheraside."Noneofthat,youlittleslut!"

           Johnsonshouldnothaveslappedher.Hehadnothitherhard,notevenashardasheusedtohithiswifebeforeshewenthometoherparents,andnotnearlyashardashehadoftenhitprisonerswhowerereluctanttotalk.UptothistimeSmithhadshownnoexpressionatallandhadsaidnothing;hehadsimplylethimselfbeforcedintotheroomwiththepassive,futileresistanceofapuppywhodoesnotwanttobewalkedonaleash.Buthehadunderstoodnothingofwhatwashappeningandhadtriedtodonothingatall.