Чужак в чужой стране

           Ben,amanmyage,wholookslikeaslumclearanceinitsmostdepressingstages,canattractayounggirlenoughtobedher–andpossiblybigherandthanksforthecompliment;itjustpossiblymightnotbeamiss–throughthreemeansonly:money?orsecond,theequivalentofmoneyintermsofwillsandcommunitypropertyandthelikeand–pauseforquestion:Canyouimagineanyofthesethreegirls–thesefour,letmeincludeJill–beddingwithaman,evenayoungandhandsomeone,forthosereasons?"

           "No.Categoricalno–notanyofthem."

           "Thankyou,sir.Iassociateonlywithladies;Iseethatyouknowit.Thethirdincentiveisamostfemaleone.Asweetyounggirlcan,andsometimesdoes,takeanoldwrecktobedbecausesheisfondofhimandsorryforhimandwishestomakehimhappy.Wouldthatreasonapplyhere?"

           "Uh?yes,Jubal,Ithinkitmight.Withallfourofthem."

           "Ithinkitmight,too.AlthoughI’dhatelikehelltohaveanyofthemsorryforme.Butthisthirdreasonwhichanyofthesefourladiesmightfindsufficientmotivationisnotsufficientmotivationforme.Iwouldn’tputupwithit.Ihavemydignity,sir–andIhopethatIretainmyreasonlongenoughtoextinguishmyselfifiteverappearsabouttoslip.Sopleasetakemynameoffthelist."

           Caxtongrinned."Okay–youstiff-neckedoldcoot.IjusthopethatwhenIamyourageIwon’tbesoall-firedhardtotempt."

           Jubalsmiled."Believeme,it’sbettertobetemptedandresist,thannottoresistandbedisappointed.