Чужак в чужой стране

           "I’lllisten."

           "WhenMikeaskedfortheprivilegeofeatingmystringyoldcarcass,hewasdoingmethegreatesthonorthatheknewof–bytheonlyrulesheknows.Whathehad‘learnedathismother’sknee,’sotospeak.Doyousavvythat?Youheardhistoneofvoice,yousawhismanner.Hewaspayingmehishighestcompliment–andaskingofmeaboon.Yousee?NevermindwhattheythinkofsuchthingsinKansas;MikeusesthevaluestaughthimonMars."

           "IthinkI’lltakeKansas."

           "Well,"admittedJubal,"sodoI.Butitisnotamatteroffreechoiceforme,norforyou–norforMike.Allthreeofusareprisonersofourearlyindoctrinations,foritishard,verynearlyimpossible,toshakeoffone’searliesttraining.Duke,canyougetitthroughyourskullthatifyouhadbeenbornonMarsandbroughtupbyMartians,youyourselfwouldhaveexactlythesameattitudetowardeatingandbeingeatenthatMikehas?"

           Dukeconsideredit,thenshookhishead."Iwon’tbuyit,Jubal.Sure,aboutmostthingsit’sjustMike’shardluckthathewasn’tbroughtupincivilization–andmygoodluckthatIwas.I’mwillingtomakeallowancesforhim.Butthisisdifferent,thisisaninstinct."

           "‘Instinct,’dreck!"

           "Butitis.Ididn’tgetany‘trainingatmymother’sknee’nottobeacannibal.Hell,Ididn’tneedit;I’vealwaysknownitwasasin–anastyone.Why,themerethoughtofitmakesmystomachdoaflip-flop.It’sabasicinstinct."

           Jubalgroaned.