Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
ItwasasthoughMagnuswasacommander-in-chiefofanunseenarmy,andheasubaltern.Therewassomelittleconversationastotheproposeddance,andthenAnnixterfoundanexcusefordrawingtheGovernoraside.Mrs.Derrickwatchedthetwowitheyesfullofpoignantanxiety,astheyslowlypacedthelengthofthegraveldrivewaytotheroadgate,andstoodthere,leaninguponit,talkingearnestly;Magnustall,thin-lipped,impassive,onehandinthebreastofhisfrockcoat,hisheadbare,hiskeen,blueeyesfixeduponAnnixter’sface.Annixtercameatoncetothemainpoint.
“IgotawirefromOstermanthismorning,Governor,and,well—we’vegotDisbrow.ThatmeansthattheDenver,PuebloandMojaveisbackofus.There’shalfthefightwon,firstoff.”
“Ostermanbribedhim,Isuppose,”observedMagnus.
Annixterraisedashouldervexatiously.
“You’vegottopayforwhatyouget,”hereturned.“Youdon’tgetsomethingfornothing,Iguess.Governor,”hewenton,“Idon’tseehowyoucanstayoutofthisbusinessmuchlonger.Youseehowitwillbe.We’regoingtowin,andIdon’tseehowyoucanfeelthatit’srightofyoutoletusdoalltheworkandstandalltheexpense.There’sneverbeenamovementofanyimportancethatwentonaroundyouthatyouweren’ttheleaderinit.AllTulareCounty,alltheSanJoaquin,forthatmatter,knowsyou.Theywantaleader,andtheyarelookingtoyou.Iknowhowyoufeelaboutpoliticsnowadays.But,Governor,standardshavechangedsinceyourtime;everybodyplaysthegamenowasweareplayingit—themosthonourablemen.
