Чужак в чужой стране

           Thenhesawsomethingelsethathehadmissedoncomingin,hisattentionearlierhavingbeenseizedbythesightofPattyherself.Oneachsideofthedoorwasalargebowl,asgrossasabushelbasket–andeachwastilledwithmoney.

           Morethanfilled–Federationnotesofvariousdenominationsspilledoutonthefloor.

           HewasstaringatthisimprobabilitywhenPatriciareturned."Here’syourdrink,BrotherBen.GrowcloseinHappiness."

           "Uh,thanks."Hiseyesreturnedtothemoney.

           Shefollowedhisglance."YoumustthinkI’masloppyhousekeeper,Ben–andIam.Michaelmakesitsoeasy,mostofthecleaningandsuch,thatIforget."Shesquatteddown,retrievedthemoney,stuffeditintothelesscrowdedbowl.

           "Patty,whyintheworld?"

           "Oh.Wekeepitherebecausethisdoorleadsouttothestreet.Justforconvenience.IfoneofusisleavingtheNest–andIdo,myself,almosteverydayforgroceryshopping–wearelikelytoneedmoney.Sowekeepitwhereyouwon’tforgettotakesomewithyou."

           "Youmean?justgrabahandfulandgo?"

           "Why,ofcourse,dear.Oh,Iseewhatyoumean.Butthereisneveranyoneherebutus.Novisitors,ever.Ifanyofushavefriendsoutside–and,ofcourse,allofusdo–thereareplentyofniceroomslowerdown,theordinarysortthatoutsidersareusedto,wherewecanvisitwiththem.Thismoneyisn’twhereitcantemptaweakperson."

           "Huh!I’mprettyweak,myself!"

           Shechuckledgentlyathisjoke.