Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Derrickappearedinthedoorthatopenedfromthedining-roomintotheglass-roofedhallwayjustbeyond.Ostermansalutedherwitheffusivecordialityandwithingratiatingblandness.

           “Iamnotgoingtostay,”sheexplained,smilingpleasantlyatthegroupofmen,herpretty,wide-openbrowneyes,withtheirlookofinquiryandinnocence,glancingfromfacetoface,“Ionlycametoseeifyouwantedanythingandtosayhowdoyoudo.”

           ShebegantalkingtooldBroderson,makinginquiriesastohiswife,whohadbeensickthelastweek,andOstermanturnedtothecompany,shakinghandsallaround,keepingupanincessantstreamofconversation.

           “Hello,boysandgirls.Hello,Governor.Sortofagatheringoftheclansto-night.Well,ifhereisn’tthatmanAnnixter.Hello,Buck.Whatdoyouknow?Kindofdustyoutto-night.”

           AtonceAnnixterbegantogetredintheface,retiringtowardsacorneroftheroom,standinginanawkwardpositionbythecaseofstuffedbirds,shamblingandconfused,whileMrs.Derrickwaspresent,standingrigidlyonbothfeet,hiselbowsclosetohissides.ButhewasangrywithOsterman,mutteringimprecationstohimself,horriblyvexedthattheyoungfellowshouldcallhim“Buck”beforeMagnus’swife.ThisgoatOsterman!Hadn’theanysense,thatfool?Couldn’theeverlearnhowtobehavebeforeafeemale?Callinghim“Buck”likethatwhileMrs.Derrickwasthere.Whyastable-boywouldknowbetter;ahiredmanwouldhavebettermanners.