Чужак в чужой стране

           Juballetitgoonuntileverynewsmanthereknewmorethanhewantedtoknowaboutdowerandcurtesy,consanguineananduterine,perstirpesandpercapita,andrelatedmysteries.AtlastJubaltouchedhisshoulder,"That’senough,Mike."

           Mikelookedpuzzled."Thereismuchmore."

           "Yes,butlater.Doessomeonehaveaquestiononsomeothersubject?"

           AreporterforaLondonSundaypaperofenormouscirculationjumpedinwithaquestionclosertohisemployer’spocketbook:"Mr.Smith,weunderstandyoulikethegirlshereonEarth.Buthaveyoueverkissedagirl?"

           "Yes."

           "Didyoulikeit?"

           "Yes."

           "Howdidyoulikeit?"

           Mikebarelyhesitatedoverhisanswer."Kissinggirlsisagoodness,"heexplainedveryseriously."Itisagrowing-closer.Itbeatsthehelloutofcardgames."

           Theirapplausefrightenedhim.ButhecouldfeelthatJillandDorcaswerenotfrightened,thatindeedtheywerebothtryingtorestrainthatincomprehensiblenoisyexpressionofpleasurewhichhehimselfcouldnotlearn.Sohecalmedhisfrightandwaitedgravelyforwhatevermighthappennext.

           Bywhatdidhappennexthewassavedfromfurtherquestions,answerableornot,andwasgrantedagreatjoy;hesawafamiliarfaceandfigurejustenteringbyasidedoor,"MybrotherDr.Mahmoud!"Mikewentontalkinginoverpoweringexcitement–butinMartian.

           TheChampion’sstaffsemanticistwavedandsmiledandansweredinthesamejarringlanguagewhilehurryingtoMike’sside.