Stranger in a Strange Land Read Online Free PDF

a mild analogy; the truth is at least forty million miles stranger.”
    Jill nodded. “I figured that out. that’s why I discounted his odd remarks. I’m not dumb.”
    â€œNo, you’re real bright, for a female.”
    â€œWould you like this martini in your hair?”
    â€œI apologize. Women are smarter than men; that is proved by our whole setup. Gimme, I’ll fill it.”
    She accepted peace offerings and went on, “Ben, that order about not letting him see women, it’s silly. He’s no sex fiend.”
    â€œNo doubt they don’t want to hand him too many shocks at once.”
    â€œHe wasn’t shocked. He was just . . . interested. It wasn’t like having a man look at me.”
    â€œIf you had granted that request for a viewing, you might have had your hands full.”
    â€œI don’t think so. I suppose they’ve told him about male and female; he just wanted to see how women are different.”
    â€œ ‘Vive la difference!’ ” Caxton answered enthusiastically.
    â€œDon’t be vulgar.”
    â€œMe? I was being reverent. I was giving thanks that I was born human and not Martian.”
    â€œBe serious.”
    â€œI was never more serious.”
    â€œThen be quiet. He wouldn’t have given me any trouble. You didn’t see his face—I did.”
    â€œWhat about his face?”
    Jill looked puzzled. “Ben, have you ever seen an angel?”
    â€œYou, cherub. Otherwise not.”
    â€œWell, neither have I—but that is how he looked. He had old, wise eyes in a completely placid face, a face of unearthly innocence.” She shivered.
    â€œ ‘Unearthly’ is the word,” Ben answered slowly. “I’d like to see him.”
    â€œBen, why are they keeping him shut up? He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
    Caxton fitted his fingertips together. “Well, they want to protect him. He grew up in Mars gravity; he’s probably weak as a cat.”
    â€œBut muscular weakness isn’t dangerous; myasthenia gravis is much worse and we manage all right with that.”
    â€œThey want to keep him from catching things, too. He’s like those experimental animals at Notre Dame; he’s never been exposed.”
    â€œSure, sure—no antibodies. But from what I hear around the mess hall, Doctor Nelson—the surgeon in the Champion —took care of that on the trip back. Mutual transfusions until he had replaced about half his blood tissue.”
    â€œCan I use that, Jill? That’s news.”
    â€œJust don’t quote me. They gave him shots for everything but housemaid’s knee, too. But, Ben, to protect him from infection doesn’t take armed guards.”
    â€œMmmm. . . . Jill, I’ve picked up a few tidbits you may not know. I can’t use them because I’ve got to protect my sources. But I’ll tell you—just don’t talk.”
    â€œI won’t.”
    â€œIt’s a long story. Want a refill?”
    â€œNo, let’s start the steak. Where’s the button?”
    â€œRight here.”
    â€œWell, push it.”
    â€œMe? You offered to cook dinner.”
    â€œBen Caxton, I will lie here and starve before I will get up to push a button six inches from your finger.”
    â€œAs you wish.” He pressed the button. “But don’t forget who cooked dinner. Now about Valentine Michael Smith. There is grave doubt as to his right to the name ‘Smith.’ ”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œHoney, your pal is the first interplanetary bastard of record.”
    â€œThe hell you say!”
    â€œPlease be ladylike. You remember anything about the Envoy? Four married couples. Two couples were Captain and Mrs. Brant, Doctor and Mrs. Smith. Your friend with the face of an angel is the son of Mrs. Smith by Captain Brant.”
    â€œHow do they know? And who cares? It’s pretty snivelin’ to dig up scandal after all