Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Hehadonlytoclosehiseyestoseeherasplainasifshestoodbeforehim;hesawherinagloryofsunlightthatsetafinetintedlustreofpalecarnationandgoldonthesilkensheenofherwhiteskin,herhairsparkledwithit,herthick,strongneck,slopingtohershoulderswithbeautiful,fullcurves,seemedtoradiatethelight;hereyes,brown,wide,innocentinexpression,disclosingthefulldiscofthepupilupontheslightestprovocation,flashedinthissunlightlikediamonds.

           Annixterwasallbewildered.Withtheexceptionofthetimidlittlecreatureintheglove-cleaningestablishmentinSacramento,hehadhadnoacquaintancewithanywoman.Hisworldwasharsh,crude,aworldofmenonly—menwhoweretobecombatted,opposed—hishandwasagainstnearlyeveryoneofthem.Womenhedistrustedwiththeinstinctivedistrustoftheovergrownschoolboy.Now,atlength,ayoungwomanhadcomeintohislife.Promptlyhewasstruckwithdiscomfiture,annoyedalmostbeyondendurance,harassed,bedevilled,excited,madeangryandexasperated.Hewassuspiciousofthewoman,yetdesiredher,totallyignorantofhowtoapproachher,hatingthesex,yetdrawntotheindividual,confusingthetwoemotions,sometimesevenhatingHilmaasaresultofthisconfusion,butatalltimesdisturbed,vexed,irritatedbeyondpowerofexpression.

           Atlength,Annixtercasthiscigarfromhimandplungedagainintotheworkoftheday.Theafternoonworetoevening,totheaccompanimentofwearyingandclamorousendeavour.