Чужак в чужой стране

           Buttakealookatthisglumworldaroundyou–thentellmethis:DidMike’sdisciplesseemhappier,orunhappier,thanotherpeople?"

           "Italkedtoonlyaboutathirdofthem,Jubal?but–yes,they’rehappy.Sohappytheyseemslap-happytome.Idon’ttrustit.There’ssomecatchinit."

           "Mmm?maybeyouyourselfwerethecatchinit."

           "How?"

           "Iwasthinkingthatitwasregrettablethatyourtasteshavegrowncanalizedsoyoung.Thereitwas,rainingsoup–andyouwerecaughtwithoutaspoon.Eventhreedaysofwhatyouwereoffered–urgedonyou!–wouldhavebeensomethingtotreasurewhenyoureachmyage.Andyou,youyoungidiot,letjealousychaseyouaway!Believeme,atyourageIwouldhavegoneEskimoinabigway,thankfulthatIhadbeengivenafreepassinsteadofhavingtoattendchurchandstudyMartiantoqualify.I’msovicariouslyvexedthatmyonlyconsolationisthesouronethatIknowyouwilllivetoregretit.Agedoesnotbringwisdom,Ben,butitdoesgiveperspective?andthesaddestperspectiveofallistoseefar,farbehindyou,thetemptationsyou’vepassedup.IhavesuchregretsmyselfbutallofthemareasnothingtothewhopperofaregretIamhappilycertainyouwillsuffer."

           "Oh,forPete’ssake,quitrubbingitin!"

           "Heavens,man!–orareyouamouse?I’mnotrubbingitin,Iamtryingtogoadyouintotheobvious.