Чужак в чужой стране

           Idon’tknowwhenI’llneedit."

           "Igrokit,Boss.Quitjittering."

           "I’lljitterasIplease.Let’sgo."Harshaw,thefourgirlswithMike,andCaxtongotout;thebustookoffatonce.ToHarshaw’smixedreliefandapprehensionthelandingflatwasnotcrowdedwithnewsmen.

           Butitwasfarfromempty.Amanpickedhimoutatonce,steppedbrisklyforwardandsaidheartily,"Dr.Harshaw?I’mTomBradley,seniorexecutiveassistanttotheSecretaryGeneral.YouaretogodirectlytoMr.Douglas’privateoffice.Hewillseeyouforafewmomentsbeforetheconferencestarts."

           "No."

           Bradleyblinked."Idon’tthinkyouunderstoodme.TheseareinstructionsfromtheSecretaryGeneral.Oh,hesaidthatitwasallrightforMr.Smithtocomewithyou–theManfromMars,Imean-"

           "No.Thispartystaystogether,eventogotothewashroom.Rightnowwe’regoingtothatconferenceroom.Havesomebodyleadtheway.Andhaveallthesepeoplestandback;they’recrowdingus.Inthemeantime,Ihaveanerrandforyou.Miriam,thatletter."

           "But,Dr.Harshaw-"

           "Isaid,‘No!’Can’tyouunderstandplainEnglish?ButyouaretodeliverthislettertoMr.Douglasatonceandtohimpersonally,andfetchbackhisreceipttome."HarshawpausedtowritehissignatureacrosstheflapoftheenvelopeMiriamhadhandedtohim,pressedhisthumbprintoverthesignature,andhandedittoBradley."Tellhimthatitismosturgentthathereadthisatonce–beforethemeeting."