Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
Canrecitethewholeof’SnowBound’withouteverstopping.Youdon’tbelievethat,maybe,hey?Well,it’strue.She’llbejustoldenoughtoentertheSeminaryupatMarysvillenextwinter,andifmyhopbusinesspaystwopercent.ontheinvestment,there’swhereshe’sgoingtogo.”
“How’sitcomingon?”inquiredAnnixter.
“Thehopranch?Prime.I’veaboutgotthelandinshape,andI’veengagedaforemanwhoknowsallabouthops.I’vebeeninluck.Everybodywillgointothebusinessnextyearwhentheyseehopsgotoadollar,andthey’lloverstockthemarketandbusttheprice.ButI’mgoingtogetthecreamofitnow.Isaytwopercent.Why,Lordloveyou,itwillpayagooddealmorethanthat.It’sgotto.It’scostmorethanIfiguredtostartthething,so,perhaps,Imayhavetoborrowsomewheres;butthenonsuchasuregameasthis—andIdowanttomakesomethingoutofthatlittletadofmine.”
“Throughhere?”inquiredAnnixter,makingreadytomoveoff.
“Injustaminute,”answeredDyke.“WaitformeandI’llwalkdownthestreetwithyou.”
Annixtergrumbledthathewasinahurry,butwaited,nevertheless,whileDykeagainapproachedtheclerk.
“Ishallwantsomeemptycarsofyoupeoplethisfall,”heexplained.“I’mahop-raisernow,andIjustwanttomakesurewhatyourratesonhopsare.I’vebeentold,butIwanttomakesure.Savvy?”Therewasalongdelaywhiletheclerkconsultedthetariffschedules,andAnnixterfrettedimpatiently.Dyke,growinguneasy,leanedheavilyonhiselbows,watchingtheclerkanxiously.
