Чужак в чужой стране

           Look,mydear,Iwassuccessfullyavoidinghonestworklongbeforeyouwereborn–sodon’ttrytoteachGranpawhowtosuckeggs.OrwouldyouratherInursedAbbywhileyouturnoutcopy?Hey!It’sAbigail’sfeedingtime,isn’tit?Andyouweren’t‘Front,’Dorcasis‘Front.’Iremember."

           "Itwon’thurtAbbytowaitafewminutes.Dorcasislyingdown.Morningsickness."

           "Nonsense.Ifshe’spregnant,whywon’tsheletmerunatest?Anne,Icanspotpregnancytwoweeksbeforearabbitcan–andyouknowit.I’mgoingtohavetobefirmwiththatgirl."

           "Jubal,youletherbe!She’sscaredshedidn’tcatch?andshewantstothinkshedid,aslongaspossible.Don’tyouknowanythingaboutwomen?"

           "Mmm?cometothinkaboutit–no.Notanything.Allright,Iwon’theckleher.Butwhydidn’tyoubringourbabyangelinandnurseherhere?Youhavebothhandsfreewhenyoutakedictation."

           "Inthefirstplace,I’mgladIdidn’t–shemighthaveunderstoodwhatyouweresaying-"

           "SoI’mabadinfluence,amI?"

           "She’stooyoungtoseethemarshmallowsyrupunderneath,Boss.Buttherealreasonisthatyoudon’tdoanyworkatallifIbringherinwithme;youjustplaywithher."

           "Canyouthinkofanybetterwayofenrichingtheemptyhours?"

           "Jubal,Iappreciatethefactthatyouaredottyovermydaughter;Ithinkshe’sprettynicemyself.Butyou’vebeenspendingallyourtimeeitherplayingwithAbby?ormoping.That’snotgood."