Чужак в чужой стране

           "Wouldyouhavethegracetodiscorporateyourself?Afterlunch,ofcourse–Iwouldn’twantyoutodoitonanemptystomach."

           "I’mnothreat,I’mapermanentbachelor."

           "Come,come,sir!IsawDorcasmakingeyesatyou?andyouwerepurring."

           "I’msafe,Iassureyou."MahmoudthoughtoftellingJubalthathewouldnevermarryoutofhisfaith,decidedthatagentilewouldtakeitamiss–evenarareexceptionlikeJubal.Hechangedthesubject."But,Jubal,don’tmakeasuggestionlikethattoMike.Hewouldn’tgrokthatyouwerejoking–andyoumighthaveacorpseonyourhands.Idon’tknow?Idon’tknowthatMikecanactuallythinkhimselfdead.Buthewouldtry?andifheweretrulyaMartian,itwouldwork."

           "I’msurehecan,"Nelsonsaidfirmly."Doctor–‘Jubal,’Imean–haveyounoticedanythingoddaboutMike’smetabolism?"

           "Uh,letmeputitthisway.Thereisn’tanythingabouthismetabolismwhichIhavenoticedthatisnotodd.Very."

           "Exactly."

           JubalturnedtoMahmoud."Butdon’tworrythatImightinviteMiketosuicide.I’velearnednottojokewithhim,notever.Igrokthathedoesn’tgrokjoking."Jubalblinkedthoughtfully."ButIdon’tgrok‘grok’–notreally.Stinky,youspeakMartian."

           "Alittle."

           "Youspeakitfluently,Iheardyou.Doyougrok‘grok’?"

           Mahmoudlookedverythoughtful."No.Notreally.