Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Thepityofit,thetragedyofit!He,Magnus,the“Governor,”whohadbeensostaunch,sorigidlyupright,soloyaltohisconvictions,sobitterinhisdenunciationoftheNewPolitics,soscathinginhisattacksonbriberyandcorruptioninhighplaces;wasitpossiblethatnow,atlast,hecouldbebroughttowithholdhiscondemnationofthedeviousintriguesoftheunscrupulous,goingonthereunderhisveryeyes?ThatMagnusshouldnotcommandHarrantorefrainfromallintercoursewiththeconspirators,hadbeenamatterofvastsurprisetoMrs.Derrick.TimewaswhenMagnuswouldhaveforbiddenhissontosomuchasrecogniseadishonourableman.

           Butbesidesallthis,Derrick’swifetrembledatthethoughtofherhusbandandsonengaginginsodesperateagrapplewiththerailroad—thatgreatmonster,iron-hearted,relentless,infinitelypowerful.Alwaysithadissuedtriumphantfromthefight;alwaysS.Behrman,theCorporation’schampion,remaineduponthefieldasvictor,placid,unperturbed,unassailable.Butnowamoreterriblestrugglethananyhithertoloomedmenacingovertherimofthefuture;moneywastobespentlikewater;personalreputationsweretobehazardedintheissue;failuremeantruininalldirections,financialruin,moralruin,ruinofprestige,ruinofcharacter.Success,tohermind,wasalmostimpossible.AnnieDerrickfearedtherailroad.Atnight,wheneverythingelsewasstill,thedistantroarofpassingtrainsechoedacrossLosMuertos,fromGuadalajara,fromBonneville,orfromtheLongTrestle,straightintoherheart.