Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
Isthereanythingtotell,Father?Hasanydiscoverybeenmade,anysuspiciondeveloped,asto—theOther?”
Thepriestshookhishead.
“Notaword,notawhisper.Itisamystery.Italwayswillbe.”
Vanameeclaspedhisheadbetweenhisclenchedfists,rockinghimselftoandfro.
“Oh,theterrorofit,”hemurmured.“Thehorrorofit.Andshe—thinkofit,Sarria,onlysixteen,alittlegirl;soinnocent,thatsheneverknewwhatwrongmeant,pureasalittlechildispure,whobelievedthatallthingsweregood;matureonlyinherlove.Andtobestruckdownlikethat,whileyourGodlookeddownfromHeavenandwouldnottakeherpart.”Allatonceheseemedtolosecontrolofhimself.Oneofthosefuriesofimpotentgriefandwraththatassailedhimfromtimetotime,blind,insensate,incoherent,suddenlytookpossessionofhim.Atorrentofwordsissuedfromhislips,andheflungoutanarm,thefistclenched,inafierce,quickgesture,partlyofdespair,partlyofdefiance,partlyofsupplication.“No,yourGodwouldnottakeherpart.WherewasGod’smercyinthat?WherewasHeaven’sprotectioninthat?Wherewasthelovingkindnessyoupreachabout?WhydidGodgiveherlifeifitwastobestampedout?WhydidGodgiveherthepowerofloveifitwastocometonothing?Sarria,listentome.WhydidGodmakehersodivinelypureifHepermittedthatabomination?Ha!”heexclaimedbitterly,“yourGod!Why,anApachebuckwouldhavebeenmoremerciful.YourGod!ThereisnoGod.ThereisonlytheDevil.TheHeavenyoupraytoisonlyajoke,awretchedtrick,adelusion.
