Чужак в чужой стране

           Jubalsolvedthatbyfirstmakingaphonecalltothelocalpostmaster(whichgotnoresults),thenbyaphonecalltoBradley,whichdidgetresultsaftera"suggestion"fromonhightrickledbackdowntolocallevel;thereaftermailforMikearrivedsackedasfirstclass,secondclass,thirdclass,andfourthclass,withmailforeveryoneelseinthehouseholdinstillanothersack.

           Secondandthirdclassmailwasusedtoinsulateanewrootcellarnorthofthehouse,theoldrootcellarhavingbeendugbytheformerownerasafalloutshelterandneverhavingbeensatisfactoryasrootcellar.Oncethenewrootcellarwasheavilyover-insulatedandcouldusenomore,JubaltoldDuketodumpsuchmailasfilltocheckerosioningullies;combinedwithasmallamountofbrushsuchmailcompactedverynicely.

           Fourthclassmailwasaproblem,especiallyasonepackageexplodedprematurelyinthevillagepostoffice,blowingseveralyearsof"Wanted"announcementsoffthenoticeboardandruiningone"UseNextWindow"sign–bygreatgoodluckthepostmasterwasoutforcoffeeandhisassistant,anelderlyladywithweakkidneys,wassafeinthewashroom.JubalconsideredhavingallfourthclassmailaddressedtoMikeprocessedbythebomb-disposalspecialistsoftheS.S,whoperformedthesameservicefortheSecretaryGeneral.

           Thisturnedoutnottobenecessary;Mikecouldspota"wrongness"aboutapackagewithoutopeningit.