Чужак в чужой стране

           Forme,itwouldbeawrongness–Iamhuman."

           "Butnotforthem?"

           "Oh,no.TheOldOnesmightgrokitasbeauty.Idon’tknow.Oh,Ihavethedisciplinetodoit?butnotthevolition.Jillcoulddoit–thatis,shecouldcontemplatetheexactmethod.Butshecouldneverwilltodoit;sheishumantoo;thisisherplanet.Theessenceofthedisciplineis,first,self-awareness,andthen,self-control.Bythetimeahumanisphysicallyabletodestroythisplanetbythismethod–insteadofbyclumsythingslikecobaltbombs–itisnotpossible,Igrokfully,forhimtoentertainsuchavolition.Hewoulddiscorporate.Andthatwouldendanythreat;ourOldOnesdon’thangaroundthewaytheydoonMars."

           "Mmmm?son,aslongaswearecheckingyouforbatsinyourbelfry,clearupsomethingelse.You’vealwaysspokenofthese‘OldOnes’ascasuallyasIspeakoftheneighbor’sdog–butIfindghostshardtoswallow.Whatdoesan‘OldOne’looklike?"

           "Why,justlikeanyotherMartian?exceptthatthereismorevarietyintheappearanceofadultMartiansthanthereisinus."

           "Thenhowdoyouknowit’snotjustanadultMartian?Doesn’thewalkthroughwalls,orsomesuch?"

           "AnyMartiancandothat.Idid,justyesterday."

           "Uh?shimmers?Oranything?"

           "No.Yousee,hear,feelthem–everything.It’slikeanimageinastereotank,onlyperfectandputrightintoyourmind.But–Look,Jubal,thewholethingwouldbeasillyquestiononMars,butIrealizeitisn’t,here.