Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
Theprolongedrattleoftheshinglers’hammersupontheroofofthebigbarnattractedhim,and,crossingoverbetweentheranchhouseandtheartesianwell,hestoodforsometimeabsorbedinthecontemplationofthevastbuilding,amusedandinterestedwiththeconfusionofsounds—theclatterofhammers,thecadencedscrapeofsaws,andtherhythmicshuffleofplanes—thatissuedfromthegangofcarpenterswhowereatthatmomentputtingthefinishingtouchesupontheroofandrowsofstalls.Aboyandtwomenwerebusyhangingthegreatslidingdooratthesouthend,whilethepainters—comedownfromBonnevilleearlythatmorning—wereengagedinadjustingthesprayandforceengine,bymeansofwhichAnnixterhadinsisteduponpaintingthevastsurfacesofthebarn,condemningtheuseofbrushesandpotsforsuchworkasold-fashionedandout-of-date.
Hecalledtooneoftheforemen,toaskwhenthebarnwouldbeentirelyfinished,andwastoldthatattheendoftheweekthehayandstockcouldbeinstalled.
“Andapreciouslongtimeyou’vebeenatit,too,”Annixterdeclared.
“Well,youknowtherain——”
“Oh,rottherain!Iworkintherain.Youandyourunionsmakemesick.”
“But,Mr.Annixter,wecouldn’thavebegunpaintingintherain.Thejobwouldhavebeenspoiled.”
“Hoh,yes,spoiled.That’sallverywell.Maybeitwould,andthen,again,maybeitwouldn’t.”
Butwhentheforemanhadlefthim,Annixtercouldnotforbearagrowlofsatisfaction.Itcouldnotbedeniedthatthebarnwassuperb,monumentaleven.
