Чужак в чужой стране

           SinceIwasforcedtosurrenderthepowerofthatmoneytoDouglasmerelytoensureMike’scontinuedhealthandfreedom,whynotmakethebeggarpayforitbyassumingalltheheadaches,too?IwasnotafraidthatDouglaswouldstealfromMike;onlypipsqueak,second-ratepoliticiansaremoneyhungry–andDouglas,whateverhisfaults,isnopipsqueak.Quitscowling,Ben,andhopethatheneverdumpstheloadonyou.

           "SoIdumpedthewholeloadonDouglas–andnowIcangobacktomygarden.But,asIhavesaid,themoneywasrelativelysimple,onceIfigureditout.ItwastheLarkinDecisionthatfrettedme."

           Caxtonsaid,"Ithoughtyouhadlostyourwitsonthatone,Jubal.ThatsillybusinessoflettingthemgiveMikesovereign‘honors.’Honorsindeed!ForGod’ssake,Jubal,youshouldsimplyhavehadMikesignoverallright,title,andinterest,ifany,underthatridiculousLarkintheory.YouknewDouglaswantedhimto–Jilltoldyou."

           "Benm’boy,"Jubalsaidgently,"asareporteryouarehard-workingandsometimesreadable."

           "Gee,thanks!Myfan."

           "ButyourconceptsofstrategyareNeanderthal."

           Caxtonsighed."Ifeelbetter,Jubal.ForamomentthereIthoughtyouhadbecomesoftlysentimentalinyouroldage."

           "WhenIdo,pleaseshootme.Captain,howmanymendidyouleaveonMars?"

           "Twenty-three."

           "Andwhatistheirstatus,undertheLarkinDecision?"

           VanTromplookedtroubled."I’mnotsupposedtotalk."

           "Thendon’t,"Jubalreassuredhim."Icandeduceit,andsocanBen."

           Dr.