Чужак в чужой стране

           Shewasnotfrightenedbyit;shesimplyfeltoverpoweringreligiousecstasylikeheatlightninginherloins,makingtearscometohereyes,thepowerofwhichshehadnotfeltsince,asayoungwoman,HolyFosterhimselfhadtouchedher.WhenMikemovedthemclosertogetherandJillputherarmsaroundher,hertearsincreased,buthercrieswerethegentlesobsofhappiness.

           Presentlyheloweredthemgentlytothefloorandfound,asheexpected,thathewasnottired–hecouldnotrecallwhenlasthehadbeentired.

           Jillsaidtohim,"Mike?weneedaglassofwater."

           ("????")

           ("Yes,"hermindanswered.)

           ("And?")

           ("Ofelegantnecessity.Whydoyouthinkshecamehere?")

           ("Iknew.Iwasnotsurethatyouknew?orwouldapprove.Mybrother.Myself")

           ("Mybrother.")

           Mikedidnotgetuptofetchwater.Hesentaglassfromthetrayofdrinksintothebathroom,hadthetapfillit,returnedittoJill’shands.Mrs.Paiwonskiwatchedthiswithalmostabsent-mindedinterest;shewasbeyondbeingastonished.Jillheldtheglass,saidtoher,"AuntPatty,thisislikebeingbaptized?andlikegettingmarried.It’s?aMartianthing.Itmeansthatyoutrustusandwetrustyou?andwecantellyouanythingandyoucantellusanything?andthatwearealwayspartners,nowandforever.It’sveryserious?andoncedoneitcanneverbebroken.Ifyoubrokeit,wewouldhavetodie–atonce.Savedornot.Ifwebrokeit–butwewon’t.Butyoudon’thavetosharewaterwithusifyoudon’twantto–we’llstillbefriends.