Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Mammaandpapa,ofcourse,andBilly,thestableman,andMontalegre,thePortugeeforeman,andtheChinesecook,even,andMr.Delaney—onlyhewentaway—andMrs.Vaccaandherlittle——”
“Delaney,hey?”demandedAnnixterabruptly.“Youandhewereprettygoodfriends,wereyou?”
“Oh,yes,”sheanswered.“HewasjustasGOODtome.EverydayinthesummertimeheusedtorideovertotheSeedranchbackoftheMissionandbringmeagreatarmfulofflowers,theprettiestthings,andIusedtopretendtopayhimforthemwithdollarsmadeofcheesethatIcutoutofthecheesewithabiscuitcutter.Itwassuchfun.Wewerethebestoffriends.”
“There’sanotherlampsmoking,”growledAnnixter.“Turnitdown,willyou?—andseethatsomebodysweepsthisfloorhere.It’salllitteredupwithpineneedles.I’vegotalottodo.Good-bye.”
“Good-bye,sir.”
Annixterreturnedtotheranchhouse,histeethclenched,enraged,hisfaceflushed.
“Ah,”hemuttered,“Delaney,hey?ThrowingituptomethatIfiredhim.”Histeethgrippedtogethermorefiercelythanever.“Thebestoffriends,hey?ByGod,I’llhavethatgirlyet.I’llshowthatcow-puncher.Ain’tIheremployer,herboss?I’llshowher—andDelaney,too.Itwouldbeeasyenough—andthenDelaneycanhaveher—ifhewantsher—afterme.”
Anevillightflashingfromunderhisscowl,spreadoverhisface.Themaleinstinctsofpossession,unreasoned,treacherous,oblique,cametwistingtothesurface.
