Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
Sarriawipedtheperspirationfromhissmooth,shinyface.
“You?Well,withyouitisdifferent,”heanswered.“ButthereareagreatmanyCatholicsinthecounty—someonyourranch.AndsofewcometotheMission.AtHighMassonSundays,thereareafew—MexicansandSpaniardsfromGuadalajaramostly;butweekdays,formatins,vespers,andthelike,Ioftensaytheofficestoanemptychurch—’thevoiceofonecryinginthewilderness.’YouAmericansarenotgoodchurchmen.Sundaysyousleep—youreadthenewspapers.”
“Well,there’sVanamee,”observedAnnixter.“Isupposehe’sthereearlyandlate.”
Sarriamadeasharpmovementofinterest.
“Ah,Vanamee—astrangelad;awonderfulcharacter,forallthat.Iftherewereonlymorelikehim.Iamtroubledabouthim.YouknowIamaveryowlatnight.IcomeandgoabouttheMissionatallhours.Withintheweek,threetimesIhaveseenVanameeinthelittlegardenbytheMission,andatthedeadofnight.Hehadcomewithoutaskingforme.Hedidnotseeme.Itwasstrange.Once,whenIhadgotupatdawntoringforearlymatins,Isawhimstealingawayoutofthegarden.Hemusthavebeenthereallthenight.Heisactingqueerly.Heispale;hischeeksaremoresunkenthanever.Thereissomethingwrongwithhim.Ican’tmakeitout.Itisamystery.Supposeyouaskhim?”
“NotI.I’veenoughtobothermyselfabout.Vanameeiscrazyinthehead.Somemorninghewillturnupmissingagain,anddropoutofsightforanotherthreeyears.Bestlethimalone,Sarria.He’sacrank.
