Чужак в чужой стране

           Buttothemitwouldbe–"Youaren’tlistening."

           "Sorry.Woolgathering."–andstopit,younastyoldman?readingmeaningsintonamesthatmothersgivetheirchildrenindeed!Nextthingyou’llbetakingupnumerology?thenastrology?thenspiritualism–untilyoursenilityhasprogressedsofarthatallthereisleftiscustodialtreatmentforahulktoodim-wittedtodiscorporateindignity.Gotolockeddrawernineintheclinic,code"Lethe"–anduseatleasttwograinstobesure,althoughoneismorethanenough–"There’snoneedforyoutoreadthoseclippings,becauseweknowthepublicnewsaboutMikebeforeyoudo–andBenhasgivenusawaterpromisetoletusknowanyprivatenewsweneedtoknowatonce–andMikeofcourseknowsthis.But,Jubal,Mikecan’tbehurt.IfyouwouldonlyvisittheNest,aswethreehavedone,youwouldknowthis."

           "Ihaveneverbeeninvited."

           "Wedidn’thavespecificinvitations,either;wejustwent.Nobodyhastohaveaninvitationtogotohisownhome?anymorethantheyrequireinvitationstocomehere.Like‘TheDeathoftheHiredMan.’Butyouarejustmakingexcuses,Jubal,andpoorones–forBenurgedyouto,andbothDawnandDukesentwordtoyou."

           "Mikehasn’tinvitedme."

           "Boss,thatNestbelongstomeandtoyouquiteasmuchasitdoestoMike.Mikeisfirstamongequals?asyouarehere.IsthisAbby’shome?"

           "Happens,"heansweredevenly,"thattitlealreadyvestsinherwithlifetimetenancyforme.