Чужак в чужой стране

           Insteadyoustayed,andenjoyedthefavorsofonegoddess–andbehavedyourselfasagodtowardher–inshort,youlearnedthescore,andtheyknewit.ItseemstomethatMike’serrorlayonlyinacceptingyourhypocrisyassolidcoin.Buthedoeshavetheweakness–agodlikeone–ofneverdoubtinghis‘waterbrothers’–butevenJovenods–andhisweakness–orisitastrength?–comesfromhisearlytraining;hecan’thelpit.No,Ben,Mikebehavedwithcompletepropriety;theoffenseagainstgoodmannerslayinyourbehavior."

           "Damnit,Jubal,you’vetwistedthingsagain.IdidwhatIhadtodo–Iwasabouttothrowupontheirrug!"

           "Soyouclaimreflex.Sostipulated;however,anyoneovertheemotionalageoftwelvecouldhaveclampedhisjawsandmadeaslowmarchforthebathroomwithatworstthehazardofcloggedsinuses–insteadofapanickeddashforthestreetdoor–thenreturnedwhentheshowwasoverwithaeuphemisticbutacceptableexcuse."

           "Thatwouldn’thavebeenenough.ItellyouIhadtoleave!"

           "Iknow.Butnotthroughreflex.Reflexwillevacuatethestomach;itwillnotchooseacourseforthefeet,recoverchattels,takeyouthroughdoorsandcauseyoutojumpdownaholewithoutlooking.Panic,Ben.Whydidyoupanic?"

           Caxtonwaslonginreplying.Hesighedandsaid,"Iguesswhenyoucomerightdowntoit,Jubal–I’maprude."

           Jubalshookhishead."Yourbehaviorwasmomentarilyprudish,butnotfromprudishmotivations.Youarenotaprude,Ben.