Чужак в чужой стране

           "Icanwalk

           "I’llseethatyouhaveawheelchair.Mike,ifyoudon’twanttostayhere,I’llhelpyougetoutofbedandtakeyouanywhereyouwanttogo."

           TannershookoffBerquist’shandandsaid,"Ican’thaveyouinterferingwithmypatient!"

           "He’safreeman,isn’the?"Caxtonpersisted."Orisheaprisonerhere?"

           Berquistanswered,"Ofcourseheisafreeman!Keepquiet,Doctor.Letthefooldighisowngrave."

           "Thanks,Gil.Thanksalltopieces.Soheisfreetoleaveifhewantsto.Youheardwhathesaid,Mike.Youdon’thavetostayhere.Youcangoanywhereyoulike.I’llhelpyou."

           ThepatientglancedfearfullyatTanner."No!No,no,no!"

           "Okay,okay."

           Tannersnapped,"Mr.Berquist,thishasgonequitefarenough!Mypatientwillbeupsettherestoftheday."

           "Allright,Doctor.Ben,let’sgettheshowontheroad.You’vehadenough,surely."

           "Uh

           "Onemorequestion,"Berquistbegrudged.

           "Thanks.Uh

           Thepatient’sfacebrokeintoabigsmile."Gee!"

           "Yes.Mike

           Thesmilevanished.ThepatientglancedatTanner,thenhestiffened,hiseyesrolledup,andhedrewhimselfintothefoetalposition,kneesdrawnup,headbent,andarmsfoldedacrosshischest.

           Tannersnapped,"Getthemoutofhere!"Hemovedquicklytothetankbedandfeltthepatient’swrist.

           Berquistsaidsavagely,"Thattearsit!Caxton,willyougetout?OrshallIcalltheguardsandhaveyouthrownout?"

           "Oh,we’regettingoutallright,"Caxtonagreed.AllbutTannerlefttheroomandBerquistclosedthedoor.

           "Justonepoint,Gil,"Caxtoninsisted.