Чужак в чужой стране

           "No,notinfrontofallthesepeople."

           Shewhisperedagain;helookeddistressed."I’msorry,friends,butMadameMerlininsiststhatshewantstogotobed.Willanyofyougentlemenhelpher?"

           Heblinkedattherushofvolunteers–"Oh,justtwoofyou.WereanyofyougentlemenintheArmy?"

           Therewerestillmorethanenoughvolunteers.Dr.Apollopickedtwoandsaid,"There’sanarmycotundertheendoftheplatformsjustliftupthecanvasflow,willyousetitupforherhereontheplatform?MadameMerlin,facethisway,please."

           Whilethetwomensetupthecot,Dr.Apollomadepassesintheairathisassistant."Sleep?sleep?youarenowasleep.Friends,sheisinadeeptrance.Willyoutwogentlemenwhosokindlypreparedherbednowplaceheronit?Onetakeherhead,onetakeherfeet.Careful,now–"Incorpse-likerigiditythegirlwastransferredtothecot.

           "Thankyou,gentlemen.Butweoughtnottoleaveheruncovered,shouldwe?Therewasasheethere,somewhere.Oh,thereitis."Themagicianreachedout,recoveredhiswandfromwherehehadparkedit,pointedtoatableladenwithpropsatthefarendofhisplatform;asheetdetacheditselffromthepileandcametohim."Justspreadthisoverher.Coverherhead,too;aladyshouldnotbeexposedtopublicgazewhilesleeping.Thankyou.Nowifyouwilljuststepdownofftheplatform.Fine!MadameMerlin?canyouhearme?"

           "Yes,DoctorApollo."

           "Youwereheavywithsleep.Nowyouareresting.Youfeellighter,muchlighter.