Чужак в чужой стране

           "Ben,don’tevertakeuppreaching.Ispendmydaysandnightsrushingfromonejobtoanother,tellingpeoplewhytheymustneverhurry.Ioweyou,alongwithJillandJubal,morethananyoneelseonthisplanet–yetyou’vebeenheresinceyesterdayafternoonandthisisthefirsttimeI’vebeenabletosayhello.How’veyoubeen?You’relookingfit.InfactDawntellsmeyouarefit."

           Benfoundhimselfblushing."I’mokay."

           "That’sgood.Because,believeme,thehilltribeswillberestlesstonight.ButI’llgrokcloseandsustainyou.You’llbefresherattheendofthepartythanatthestart–won’the,LittleBrother?"

           "Yes,"agreedJill."Ben,youwon’tbelieveituntilyou’vehaditdoneforyou,butMikecanlendyoustrength–physicalstrength,Imean,notjustmoralsupport.Icandoitalittlebit.Mikecanreallydoit."

           "Jillcandoitquitealot."Mikecaressedher."LittleBrotherisatowerofstrengthtoeverybody.Lastnightshecertainlywas."Hesmileddownather,thensang:

           "You’llneverfindagirllikeJill.

           "No,notoneinabillion."

           "Ofallthetartswhoeverwill"ThewillingestisourGillian!–isn’tthatright,LittleBrother?"

           "Pooh,"answeredJill,obviouslypleased,coveringhishandwithherownandpressingittoher."Dawnisexactlylikemeandyouknowit–andeverybitaswilling."

           "Maybe.Butyou’rehere?andDawnisdownstairsinterviewingthepossiblesoutofthetip.She’sbusy–youain’t.