Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
However,therewaslittletraceofenmityinhergreeting.Herhairwasstillspread,likeabroadpatchofback,andshemadethatherexcusefornotgettingup.InanswertoAnnixter’sembarrassedinquiryafterMagnus,shesenttheChinesecooktocallhimfromtheoffice;andAnnixter,aftertyinghishorsetotheringdrivenintothetrunkofoneoftheeucalyptustrees,cameuptotheporch,and,takingoffhishat,satdownuponthesteps.
“IsHarrananywhereabout?”heasked.“I’dliketoseeHarran,too.”
“No,”saidMrs.Derrick,“HarranwenttoBonnevilleearlythismorning.”
SheglancedtowardAnnixternervously,withoutturningherhead,lestsheshoulddisturbheroutspreadhair.
“WhatisityouwanttoseeMr.Derrickabout?”sheinquiredhastily.“IsitaboutthisplantoelectaRailroadCommission?Magnusdoesnotapproveofit,”shedeclaredwithenergy.“Hetoldmesolastnight.”
Annixtermovedaboutawkwardlywherehesat,smoothingdownwithhishandtheonestifflockofyellowhairthatpersistentlystoodupfromhiscrownlikeanIndian’sscalp-lock.Atoncehissuspicionswereallaroused.Ah!thisfeemalewomanwastryingtogetaholdonhim,tryingtoinvolvehiminapetticoatmess,tryingtocajolehim.Upontheinstant,hebecameverycrafty;anexcessofprudencepromptlycongealedhisnaturalimpulses.Inanactualspasmofcaution,hescarcelytrustedhimselftospeak,terrifiedlestheshouldcommithimselftosomething.Heglancedaboutapprehensively,prayingthatMagnusmightjointhemspeedily,relievingthetension.
