Чужак в чужой стране

           Well,theywereprobablyascrimsonastheirbannernow,Jubalthoughtcynically.Mikehadthenputinafewweeksasassistantchaplainathischurch-mousealmamater–thenhadbrokenwiththesectinaschismandfoundedhisownchurch.Completelykosher,legallyairtight,asvenerableinprecedentasMartinLuther?andasnauseatingaslastweek’sgarbage.

           JubalwascalledoutofhissourdaydreambyMiriam."Boss!Company!"

           JuballookeduptoseeacarabouttolandandruminatedthathehadnotrealizedwhatablessingthatS.S.patrolcaphadbeenuntilitwaswithdrawn.

           "Larry,fetchmyshotgun–IpromisedmyselfthatIwouldshootthenextdoltwholandedontherosebushes."

           "He’slandingonthegrass,Boss."

           "Well,tellhimtotryagain.We’llgethimonthenextpass."

           "LookslikeBenCaxton."

           "Soitis.We’lllethimlive–thistime.Hi,Ben!What’llyoudrink?"

           "Nothing,thisearlyintheday,youprofessionalbadinfluence.Needtotalktoyou,Jubal."

           "You’redoingit.Dorcas,fetchBenaglassofwarmmilk;he’ssick."

           "Withouttoomuchsoda,"amendedBen,"andmilkthebottlewiththethreedimplesinit.Privatetalk,Jubal."

           "Allright,uptomystudy–althoughifyouthinkyoucankeepanythingfromthekidsaroundhere,letmeinonyourmethod."AfterBenfinishedgreetingproperly(andsomewhatunsanitarily,inthreecases)themembersofthefamily,theymoseyedupstairs.

           Bensaid,"Whatthedeuce?AmIlost?"

           "Oh.