Чужак в чужой стране

           Michaelhadtogivethemveryspecialhelp;itwasanastyshocktothem–andsoutterlyunnecessary.TheyweregettingupearlyeverySundaymorningtogotomassjustasusual–butkidswilltalk.OneMormonfamilyofthenewschism–that’sthreemore,andtheirkids.TherestaretheusualrunofProtestantsandoneatheist?thatis,hethoughthewasanatheist,untilMichaelopenedhiseyes.Hecameheretoscoff;hestayedtolearn?andhe’llbeapriestbeforelong.Uh,nineteengrown-ups–I’mprettysurethat’srightthoughit’shardtosay,sincewe’rehardlyeverallintheNestatonce,exceptforourownservicesintheInnermostTemple.TheNestisbuilttoholdeighty-one–that’s‘three-filled,’orthreetimesthreemultipliedbyitself–butMichaelsaysthattherewillbemuchwaitingbeforewe’dneedabiggernestandbythenwewillbebuildingothernests.Ben?Wouldn’tyouliketoseeanouterservice,seehowMichaelmakesthepitch,insteadofjustlisteningtomerambleon?Michaelwillbepreachingjustaboutnow."

           "Why,yes,ifit’snottoomuchtrouble."

           "Youcouldgobyyourself.ButI’dliketogowithyou?andI’mnotbusy.Justasee,dearie,whileIgetdecent."

           "Jubal,shewasbackinacoupleofminutesinarobenotunlikeAnne’sWitnessrobebutcutdifferently,withangel-wingsleevesandahighneckandthetrademarkMikeusesfortheChurchofAllWorlds–nineconcentriccirclesandaconventionalizedSun-embroideredoverherheart.