Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
Shekissedhisforeheadandwentoutoftheroom,uneasy,depressed,hermindthrongingwithvaguefears,leavingMagnusbeforehisofficedesk,hisheadinhishands,thoughtful,gloomy,assaultedbyforebodings.
Meanwhile,Annixter,Phelps,andPresleycontinuedontheirwaytowardBonneville.InashorttimetheyhadturnedintotheCountyRoadbythegreatwatering-tank,andproceededonwardintheshadeoftheinterminablelineofpoplartrees,thewind-breakthatstretchedalongtheroadsideborderingtheBrodersonranch.ButastheydrewneartoCaraher’ssaloonandgrocery,abouthalfamileoutsideofBonneville,theyrecognisedHarran’shorsetiedtotherailinginfrontofit.AnnixterlefttheothersandwentintoseeHarran.
“Harran,”hesaid,whenthetwohadsatdownoneithersideofoneofthesmalltables,“you’vegottomakeupyourmindonewayoranotherprettysoon.Whatareyougoingtodo?AreyougoingtostandbyandseetherestoftheCommitteespendingmoneybythebucketfulinthisthingandkeepyourhandsinyourpockets?Ifwewin,you’llbenefitjustasmuchastherestofus.Isupposeyou’vegotsomemoneyofyourown—youhave,haven’tyou?Youareyourfather’smanager,aren’tyou?”
DisconcertedatAnnixter’sdirectness,Harranstammeredanaffirmative,adding:
“It’shardtoknowjustwhattodo.It’sameanpositionforme,Buck.Iwanttohelpyouothers,butIdowanttoplayfair.Idon’tknowhowtoplayanyotherway.IshouldliketohavealinefromtheGovernorastohowtoact,butthere’snogettingawordoutofhimthesedays.
