Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
TherewasacertainfascinationinthecontradictionofstatureandcharacterofHilma—agreatgirl,half-childasyet,buttallasamanforallthat.
Therewasamoment’sawkwardsilence,thenHilmaexplained:
“I—Icamebacktolookformyhat.IthoughtIleftitherethisafternoon.”
“AndIwaslookingformyhat,”criedAnnixter.“Funnyenough,hey?”
Theylaughedatthisasheartilyaschildrenmighthavedone.TheconstraintofthesituationwasalittlerelaxedandAnnixter,withsuddendirectness,glancedsharplyattheyoungwomananddemanded:
“Well,MissHilma,hatemeasmuchasever?”
“Oh,no,sir,”sheanswered,“IneversaidIhatedyou.”
“Well,—dislikeme,then;Iknowyousaidthat.”
“I—Idislikedwhatyoudid—TRIEDtodo.Itmademeangryandithurtme.Ishouldn’thavesaidwhatIdidthattime,butitwasyourfault.”
“Youmeanyoushouldn’thavesaidyoudidn’tlikeme?”askedAnnixter.“Why?”
“Well,well,—Idon’t—Idon’tDISlikeanybody,”admittedHilma.
“ThenIcantakeitthatyoudon’tdislikeME?Isthatit?”
“Idon’tdislikeanybody,”persistedHilma.
“Well,Iaskedyoumorethanthat,didn’tI?”queriedAnnixteruneasily.“Iaskedyoutolikeme,remember,theotherday.I’maskingyouthatagain,now.Iwantyoutolikeme.”
Hilmaliftedhereyesinquiringlytohis.Inherwordswasanunmistakableringofabsolutesincerity.Innocentlysheinquired:
“Why?”
Annixterwasstruckspeechless.Inthefaceofsuchcandour,suchperfectingenuousness,hewasatalossforanywords.
