Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           “Well—well,”hestammered,“well—Idon’tknow,”hesuddenlyburstout.“Thatis,”hewenton,gropingforhiswits,“Ican’tquitesaywhy.”Theideaofacolossallieoccurredtohim,athingactuallyroyal.

           “Iliketohavethepeoplewhoarearoundmelikeme,”hedeclared.“I—Iliketobepopular,understand?Yes,that’sit,”hecontinued,morereassured.“Idon’tliketheideaofanyonedislikingme.That’sthewayIam.It’smynature.”

           “Oh,then,”returnedHilma,“youneedn’tbother.No,Idon’tdislikeyou.”

           “Well,that’sgood,”declaredAnnixterjudicially.“That’sgood.Butholdon,”heinterrupted,“I’mforgetting.It’snotenoughtonotdislikeme.Iwantyoutolikeme.HowaboutTHAT?”

           Hilmapausedforamoment,glancingvaguelyoutofthedoorwaytowardthelightedwindowofthedairy-house,herheadtilted.

           “Idon’tknowthatIeverthoughtaboutthat,”shesaid.

           “Well,thinkaboutitnow,”insistedAnnixter.

           “ButIneverthoughtaboutlikinganybodyparticularly,”sheobserved.“It’sbecauseIlikeeverybody,don’tyousee?”

           “Well,you’vegottolikesomepeoplemorethanotherpeople,”hazardedAnnixter,“andIwanttobeoneofthose’somepeople,’savvy?GoodLord,Idon’tknowhowtosaythesefoolthings.ItalklikeagalootwhenIgettalkingtofeemalegirlsandIcan’tlaymytonguetoanythingthatsoundsright.Itisn’tmynature.Andlookhere,IliedwhenIsaidIlikedtohavepeoplelikeme—tobepopular.Rot!Idon’tcareacurseaboutpeople’sopinionsofme.