Чужак в чужой стране

           Idon’tordinarilyreadit–butI’vemadeitmybusinesstoknow,thistime."

           "Cannedcolumns!Mr.Kilgallentoldmeso."

           "Ofcourse.SomeofBen’sperennialseriesoncorruptcampaignfunds.That’sasubjectassafeasbeinginfavorofChristmas.Maybethey’rekeptonfileforsuchemergencies–orperhapsKilgalleniswritingthem.Inanycase,BenCaxton,theever-readyAdvocateofthePeepul,isstillofficiallyonhisusualsoapbox.Perhapsheplanneditthatway,mydear–becausehefoundhimselfinsuchdangerthathedidnotdaregetintouchevenwithyou.Well?"

           Gillianglancedfearfullyaroundher–atascenealmostunbearablypeaceful,bucolic,andbeautiful–thencoveredherfacewithherhands."Jubal?Idon’tknowwhattodo!"

           "Snapoutofit,"hesaidgruffly."Don’tbawloverBen–notinmypresence.Theworstthatcanpossiblyhavehappenedtohimisdeathandthatweareallinfor–ifnotthismorning,thenindays,orweeks,oryearsatmost.TalktoyourprotgMikeaboutit.Heregards‘discorporation’aslesstobefearedthanascolding–andhemayberight.Why,ifItoldMikeweweregoingtoroasthimandservehimfordinnertonight,hewouldthankmeforthehonorwithhisvoicechokedwithgratitude."

           "Iknowhewould,"Jillagreedinasmallvoice,"butIdon’thavehisphilosophicalattitudeaboutsuchthings."

           "NordoI,"Harshawagreedcheerfully,"butI’mbeginningtograspit–andImustsaythatitisaconsolingonetoamanofmyage.