Чужак в чужой стране

           But–yes,I’vegottroublesnow.Someofthemareevident.Dukehasleftme,youknow–ordidyou?"

           "Yeah.Iknew."

           "Larryisagoodgardener–buthalfthegadgetsthatkeepthislogcabinrunningarefailingtopieces.Idon’tknowhowIcanreplaceDuke.Goodall-aroundmechanicsarescarce?andonesthatwillfitintothishousehold,beamemberofthefamilyinallways,arealmostnon-existent.I’mlimpingalongonrepairmencalledinfromtown–everyvisitadisturbance,allofthemwithlarcenyintheirhearts,andmostofthemincompetenttouseascrewdriverwithoutcuttingthemselves.WhichIamincapableofdoing,too,soIhavetohirehelp.Ormovebackintotown,Godforbid."

           "Myheartachesforyou,Jubal."

           "Nevermindthesarcasm,that’sjustthestart.Mechanicsandgardenersareconvenient,butformesecretariesareessential.Twoofminearepregnant,oneisgettingmarried."

           Caxtonlookedutterlyastounded.Jubalgrowled,"Oh,I’mnottellingtalesoutofschool;they’resmugascanbe–nothingsecretaboutanyofit.They’reundoubtedlysoreatmerightnowbecauseItookyouupherewithoutgivingthemtimetoboast.Sobeagentandbesurprisedwhentheytellyou."

           "Uh,whichoneisgettingmarried?"

           "Isn’tthatobvious?Thehappymanisthatsmooth-talkingrefugeefromasandstorm,ouresteemedwaterbrotherStinkyMahmoud.I’vetoldhimflatlythattheyhavetoliveherewheneverthey’reinthiscountry.