Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Andeventenminuteslater,whenAnnixter,stillchuckling,stoodupontheporchsteps,hesawthepriest,farinthedistance,climbingtheslopeofthehighground,inthedirectionoftheMission,stillhurryingonatagreatpace,hiscassockflappingbehindhim,hisheadbent;toAnnixter’snotiontheverypictureofdiscomfitureandconfusion.

           AsAnnixterturnedabouttoreenterthehouse,hefoundhimselfalmostfacetofacewithHilmaTree.Shewasjustgoinginatthedoorway,andagreatflameofthesunset,shootinginundertheeavesoftheporch,envelopedherfromherhead,withitsthick,moisthairthathunglowoverherneck,toherslimfeet,settingagoldenflashinthelittlesteelbucklesofherlowshoes.ShehadcometosetthetableforAnnixter’ssupper.Takenallabackbythesuddennessoftheencounter,Annixterejaculatedanabruptandsenseless,“Excuseme.”ButHilma,withoutraisinghereyes,passedonunmovedintothedining-room,leavingAnnixtertryingtofindhisbreath,andfumblingwiththebrimofhishat,thathewassurprisedtofindhehadtakenfromhishead.Resolutely,andtakingaquickadvantageofhisopportunity,hefollowedherintothedining-room.

           “Iseethatdoghasturnedup,”heannouncedwithbriskcheerfulness.“ThatIrishsetterIwasaskingabout.”

           Hilma,aswift,pinkflushdeepeningthedelicateroseofhercheeks,didnotreply,exceptbynoddingherhead.Sheflungthetable-clothoutfromunderherarmsacrossthetable,spreadingitsmooth,withquicklittlecaressesofherhands.Therewasamoment’ssilence.