Чужак в чужой стране

           Mikehadaclockinhishead,too,buthiswasquiteerraticsofarasEarthcalendarsandtimeswereconcerned;itvibratedtoanotherneed.Sheslippedoutofbed,putherheadintotheotherroom.Lightswereoutandtheshadesweretight;itwasquitedark.Buttheywerenotasleep.JillheardMikesaywithsoftcertainty:

           "ThouartGod."

           "‘ThouartGod’–"Patriciawhisperedbackinavoiceasheavyasifdrugged.

           "Yes.JillisGod."

           "Jill?isGod.Yes,Michael."

           "AndthouartGod."

           "Thou–areGod.Now,Michael,now!"

           Jillwentverysoftlybackinandquietlybrushedherteeth.PresentlysheletMikeknowinhermindthatshewasawakeandfound,assheexpected,thatheknewit.Whenshecamebackintothelivingroom,shadeswereupandmorningsunwasstreamingin."Goodmorning,darlings!"Shekissedthemboth.

           "ThouartGod,"Pattysaidsimply.

           "Yes,Patty.AndthouartGod.Godisinallofus."ShelookedatPattyintheharsh,brightmorninglightandnotedthathernewbrotherdidnotlooktired.Shelookedasifshehadhadafullnightofsleepandsomeextra?andlookedyoungerandsweeterthanever.Well,sheknewthateffect–ifMikewantedtostayup,insteadofreadingorthinkingallnight,Jillneverfounditanytrouble?andshesuspectedthatherownsuddensleepinessthenightbeforehadbeenMike’sidea,too–andheardMikeagreeinhismindthatitwas.

           "Nowcoffeeforbothyoudarlings–andme,too.AndIjusthappentohavestashedawayaredipakoforangejuice,too."