Stranger in a Strange Land

that Honey Bun can watch them."
                Jubal was mildly startled to see, a moment later, what Patricia meant by that. The boa was arranged on one of twin double beds in squared-off loops that formed a nest-a twin nest, as one bight of the snake had been pulled across to bisect the square, making two crib-sized pockets, each padded with a baby blanket and each containing a baby.
                The ophidian nursemaid raised her head inquiringly as they came in. Patty stroked it and said, "It's all right, dear. Father Jubal wants to see them. Pet her a little, and let her grok you, so that she will know you next time."
                First Jubal coochey-cooed at his favorite girl friend when she gurgled at him and kicked, then petted the snake. He decided that it was the handsomest specimen of Bojdae he had ever seen, as well as the biggest- longer, he estimated, than any other boa constrictor in captivity. Its cross bars were sharply marked and the brighter colors of the tail quite showy. He envied Patty her blue-ribbon pet and regretted that he would not have more time in which to get friendly with it.
                The snake rubbed her head against his hand like a cat. Patty picked up Abby and said, "Just as I thought. Honey Bun, why didn't you tell me?"- then explained, as she started to change diapers,"She tells me at once if one of them gets tangled up, or needs help, or anything, since she can't do much for them herself-no hands-except nudge them back if they try to crawl out and might fall. But she just can't seem to grok that a wet baby ought to be changed-Honey Bun doesn't see anything wrong about that. And neither does Abby."
                "I know. We call her 'Old Faithful.' Who's the other cutie pie?"
                "Huh? That's Fatima Michele, I thought you knew."
                "Are they here? I thought they were in Beirut!"
                "Why, I believe they did come from some one of those foreign parts. I don't know just where. Maybe Maryam told me but it wouldn't mean anything to me; I've never been anywhere. Not that it matters; I grok all places are alike-just people. There, do you want to hold Abigail Zenobia while I check Fatima?"
                Jubal did so and assured her that she was the most beautiful girl in the world, then shortly thereafter assured Fatima of the same thing. He was completely sincere each time and the girls believed him-Jubal had said the same thing on countless occasions starting in the Harding administration, had always meant it and had always been believed. It was a Higher Truth, not bound by mundane logic.
                Regretfully he left them, after again petting Honey Bun and telling her the same thing, and just as sincerely.
                They left and at once ran into Fatima's mother. "Boss honey!" She kissed him and patted his tummy. "I see they've kept you fed."
                "Some. I've just been in smooching with your daughter, She's an angel doll, Miriam."
                "Pretty good baby, huh? We're going to sell her down to Rio-get a fancy price for her."
                "I thought the market was better in Yemen?"
                "Stinky says not. Got to sell her to make room." She put his hand on her belly. "Feel the bulge? Stinky and I are making a boy now-got no time for daughters."
                "Maryam," Patricia said chidingly, "that's no way to talk, even in fun."
                "Sorry, Patty. I won't talk that way about your baby- Aunt Patty is a lady, and groks that I'm not."
                "I grok that you aren't, too, you little hellion, But if Fatima is for sale, I'll give you twice your best commercial offer."
                "You'll have to take it up with Aunt Patty; I'm merely allowed to see her occasionally."
                "And you don't bulge, so you may want to keep her yourself. Let me see your eyes. Mmm ... could be."
                "Is. And Mike has grokked it most carefully and tells Stinky he's made a boy."
                "How can Mike grok that? Impossible. I'm not even sure you're pregnant-"
                "Oh, she is, Jubal," Patricia confirmed.
                Miriam looked at him serenely. "Still the skeptic, Boss. Mike grokked it while Stinky and I were still in Beirut, before we were sure we had caught. So