Чужак в чужой стране

           Heresolvedtokeepaneyeonthematterandtrytobringherhomeforit,ifpossible.Mike’ssupermanmethodswereallverywell,butitwouldn’thurttohavethebestmodernequipmentandtechniquesathand,too.LosingJilltoeclampsiaorsomeothermishapwassomethinghedidnotintendtolethappen,evenifhehadtogettoughwiththekids.

           Hewonderedaboutanothersuchpossibility,decidednottomentionit."Where’sDawn?Andwhere’sMike?Theplaceseemsawfullyquiet."Noonehadcomethroughthehailtheywereinandheheardnovoicesandyetthatoddfeelingofhappyexpectancywasevenstrongerthanithadbeenthenightbefore.Hewouldhaveexpectedacertainreleasefromtensionaftertheceremonyhehadapparentlyjoinedinhimself–unbeknownst–buttheplacewasmorechargedupthanever.Itsuddenlyremindedhimofhowhehadfelt,asaverysmallboy,whenwaitingforhisfirstcircusparade?andsomeonehadcalledout:"Therecometheelephants!"

           Jubalfeltasif,werehejustalittletaller,hecouldseetheelephants,pasttheexcitedcrowd.Yettherewasnocrowd.

           "Dawntoldmetogiveyouakissforher;she’llbebusyforthenextthreehours,about.AndMikeisbusy,too–hewentbackintowithdrawal."

           "Oh."

           "Don’tsoundsodisappointed;he’llbefreesoon.He’smakingaspecialeffortsothathewillbefreeonyouraccount?andtoletallofusbefree,too.