Чужак в чужой стране

           Butsovereignhonorsmayberenderedtoasovereign?ortoasovereign’salterego,hisviceroyorambassador.SoIassertedthatMikewasnocardboardsovereignunderasillyhumanprecedentnotinpoint–butinawfulfacttheambassadorofthegreatMartiannation!"

           Jubalsighed."Sheerbluff?andIwasscaredsillythatIwouldberequiredtoprovemyclaims.ButIwasstakingmybluffonmyhopeandstrongbeliefthatothers–Douglas,andinparticular,Kung–wouldbenomorecertainofthefactsthanwasI."Juballookedaroundhim."ButIventuredtoriskthatbluffbecauseyouthreeweresittingwithus,wereMike’swaterbrethren.Ifyouthreesatbyanddidnotchallengemylies,thenMikemustbeacceptedastheMartianequivalentofambassador–andtheLarkinDecisionwasadeadissue."

           "Ihopeitis,"CaptainvanTrompsaidsoberly,"butIdidnottakeyourstatementsaslies,Jubal;Itookthemassimpletruth."

           "Eh?ButIassureyoutheywerenot.Iwasspinningfancywords,extemporizing."

           "Nomatter.Inspirationordeduction–Ithinkyoutoldthetruth."TheskipperoftheChampionhesitated."ExceptthatIwouldnotcallMikeanambassador–Ithinkhe’sanexpeditionaryforce."

           Caxton’sjawdropped.Harshawdidnotdisputehimbutansweredwithequalsoberness."Inwhatway,sir?"

           VanTrompsaid,"I’llamendthat.ItwouldbebettertosaythatIthinkhe’sascoutforanexpeditionaryforce,reconnoiteringusforhisMartianmasters.