Чужак в чужой стране

           "Senator-"

           "Uh,what,Doc?"

           "IfMissBoardmancan’tgointotheSanctuary,Ithinkwehadallbetterattendtheseekers’service.She’shisnurseandtranslator."

           Boonelookedslightlyperturbed."Isheill?Hedoesn’tlookit.Andwhydoesheneedatranslator?HespeaksEnglish–Iheardhim."

           Jubalshrugged."Ashisphysician,Iprefertohaveanursetoassistme,ifnecessary.Mr.Smithisnotentirelyadjustedtotheconditionsofthisplanet.Aninterpretermaynotbenecessary.Butwhydon’tyouaskhim?Mike,doyouwantJilltocomewithyou?"

           "Yes,Jubal."

           "But–Verywell,Mr.Smith."Booneagainremovedhiscigar,puttwofingersbetweenhislipsandwhistled."Cherubhere!"

           Ayoungsterinhisearlyteenscamedashingup.Hewasdressedinashortrobe,tights,andslippers,andhadwhatappearedtobepigeon’swings(becausetheywere)fastened,spread,onhisshoulders.Hewasbareheaded,hadacropoftightgoldencurls,andasunnysmile.Jillthoughtthathewasascuteasagingeralead.

           Booneordered,"FlyuptotheSanctumofficeandtelltheWardenondutythatIwantanotherpilgrim’sbadgesenttotheSanctuarygaterightaway.ThewordisMars."

           "‘Mars,’"thekidrepeated,threwBooneaBoyScoutsalute,turnedandmadeamightysixty-footleapovertheheadsofthecrowd.Jillrealizedwhytheshortrobehadlookedsobulky;itconcealedapersonaljumpharness.

           "Havetobecarefulofthosebadges,"Booneremarked.