Чужак в чужой стране

           Now–ifthisinanywayinterfereswithyourfaith,don’tdoit.Wedon’tbelongtoyourchurcheventhoughyouguessedthatwedid.Wedon’t.Wemayneverbelong.‘Seekers’isthemostyoucancallusnow.Mike?"

           "Wegrok,"heagreed."Pat,Jillspeaksrightly.IwishwecouldsayittoyouinMartian,itwouldbeclearer.Butthisiseverythingthatgettingmarriedis?andagreatdealmore.Wearefreetoofferwatertoyoubutifthereisanyreasonatall,inyourreligionorinyourheart,nottoaccept–don’tdrinkit!"

           PatriciaPaiwonskitookadeepbreath.Shehadmadesuchadecisiononcebefore–withherhusbandwatching?andhadnotfunkedit.Andwhowasshetorefuseaholyman?Andhisblessedbride?"Iwantit,"shesaidfirmly.

           Jilltookasip."Wegrowevercloser."ShepassedtheglasstoMike.

           HelookedatJill,thenatPatricia."Ithankyouforwater,mybrother."Hetookasip."Pat,Igiveyouthewateroflife.Mayyoualwaysdrinkdeep."Hepassedtheglasstoher.

           Patriciatookit."Thankyou.Thankyou,ohmydears!The‘wateroflife’–oh,Iloveyouboth!"Shedrankthirstily.

           Jilltooktheglassfromher,finishedit."Nowwegrowcloser,mybrothers."

           ("Jill?")

           ("Now!!!")

           Michaelliftedhisnewwaterbrother,waftedherinandplacedhergentlyonthebed.