Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
Aburro,over-fed,lazy,incorrigible,browsedonthehillbackoftheMission,obstinatelyrefusingtobeharnessedtoSarria’slittlecart,squealingandbitingwhenevertheattemptwasmade;andthepriestsufferedhim,submittingtohishumour,inventingexcusesforhim,allegingthattheburrowasfoundered,orwasinneedofshoes,orwasfeeblefromextremeage.Thetwopeacocks,magnificent,proud,cold-hearted,resentingallfamiliarity,heservedwiththetimorous,apologeticaffectionofaqueen’slady-in-waiting,resignedtotheirdisdain,happyifonlytheycondescendedtoenjoythegrainhespreadforthem.
AttheLongTrestle,AnnixterandthepriestlefttheroadandtookthetrailthatcrossedBrodersonCreekbytheclumpsofgrey-greenwillowsandledacrossQuienSabetotheranchhouse,andtotheMissionfartheron.Theywereobligedtoproceedinsinglefilehere,andAnnixter,whohadallowedthepriesttogoinfront,promptlytooknoticeofthewickerbaskethecarried.Uponhisinquiry,Sarriabecameconfused.“Itwasabasketthathehadhadsentdowntohimfromthecity.”
“Well,Iknow—butwhat’sinit?”
“Why—I’msure—ah,poultry—achickenortwo.”
“Fancybreed?”
“Yes,yes,that’sit,afancybreed.”Attheranchhouse,wheretheyarrivedtowardfiveo’clock,Annixterinsistedthatthepriestshouldstoplongenoughforaglassofsherry.Sarrialeftthebasketandhissmallblackvaliseatthefootoftheporchsteps,andsatdowninarockerontheporchitself,fanninghimselfwithhisbroad-brimmedhat,andshakingthedustfromhiscassock.
