Чужак в чужой стране

           "Butit’snotacorpse,"Jillprotested."It’s?Bensaidthatyou?Imean-"Sheputherheaddownonthecontrolsandstartedtocry.

           "There,mydear,"Harshawsaidgently."Veryfewcorpsesareworthit.Dorcas–Miriam–takecareofher.Giveheradrink?andwashherface."

           Heturnedhisattentiontothebackseat,startedtolifttheblanket.JillshruggedoffMiriam’sprofferedarmandsaidshrilly,"You’vegottolisten!He’snotdead.AtleastIhopenot.He’s?ohdear!"Shestartedtocryagain."I’msodirty?andsoscared!"

           "Seemstobeacorpse,"Harshawsaidmeditatively."Bodytemperatureisdowntoairtemperature,Ishouldjudge.Therigorisnottypical.Howlonghashebeendead?"

           "Buthe’snotdead!Can’twegethimoutofthere?Ihadanawfultimegettinghimin."

           "Surely.Larry,givemeahand.Andquitlookingsogreen,Larry.Ifyoupuke,you’llcleanitup."BetweenthemtheygotValentineMichaelSmithoutofthebackseatandlaidhimonthegrassbythepool;hisbodyremainedstiff,stillhuddledtogether.WithoutbeingtoldDorcashadgoneinandfetchedDr.Harshaw’sstethoscope;shesetitonthegroundbySmith,switcheditonandsteppedupthegain.

           Harshawstucktheheadpieceinhisears,startedsoundingforheartbeat."I’mafraidyou’remistaken,"hesaidgentlytoJill."Thisoneisbeyondmyhelp.Whowashe?"

           Jillsighed.Herfacewasdrainedofexpressionandsheansweredinafiatvoice,"HewastheManfromMars.Itriedsohard."