Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           To-morrowisthefeastofTheHolyCross,andIampreparingagainstit.Thenightisfine.Wewillsmokeacigarinthecloistergarden.”

           Afewmomentslaterthetwopassedoutofthedoorontheothersideofthechurch,oppositethepulpit,Sarriaadjustingasilkskullcaponhistonsuredhead.Heworehiscassocknow,andwasfarmorethechurchmaninappearancethanwhenVanameeandPresleyhadseenhimonaformeroccasion.

           Theywerenowinthecloistergarden.Theplacewascharming.Everywheregrewclumpsofpalmsandmagnoliatrees.Agrapevine,overacenturyold,occupiedatrellisinoneangleofthewallswhichsurroundedthegardenontwosides.Alongthethirdsidewasthechurchitself,whilethefourthwasopen,thewallhavingcrumbledaway,itssitemarkedonlybyalineofeightgreatpeartrees,oldereventhanthegrapevine,gnarled,twisted,bearingnofruit.Directlyoppositethepeartrees,inthesouthwallofthegarden,wasaround,archedportal,whosegategivingupontheesplanadeinfrontoftheMissionwasalwaysclosed.Smallgravelledwalks,wellkept,borderedwithmignonette,twistedaboutamongtheflowerbeds,andunderneaththemagnoliatrees.Inthecentrewasalittlefountaininastonebasingreenwithmoss,whilejustbeyond,betweenthefountainandthepeartrees,stoodwhatwasleftofasundial,thebronzegnomon,greenwiththebeatingsoftheweather,thefiguresonthehalf-circleofthedialwornaway,illegible.