Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Allthelowernatureoftheman,ignorantofwomen,rackedatoneandthesametimewithenmityanddesire,rouseditselflikeahideousandabominablebeast.Andatthesamemoment,Hilmareturnedtoherhouse,hummingtoherselfasshewalked,herwhitedressglowingwithashimmeroffaintsaffronlightinthelastrayoftheafter-glow.
Alittleafterhalf-pastseven,thefirstcarry-all,bearingthedruggistofBonnevilleandhiswomen-folk,arrivedinfrontofthenewbarn.ImmediatelyafterwardanexpresswagonloadeddownwithaswarmingfamilyofSpanish-Mexicans,gorgeousinredandyellowcolours,followed.Billy,thestableman,andhisassistanttookchargeoftheteams,uncheckingthehorsesandhitchingthemtoafencebackofthebarn.ThenCaraher,thesaloon-keeper,in“derby”hat,“PrinceAlbert”coat,pointedyellowshoesandinevitablerednecktie,droveintotheyardonhisbuckboard,thedelayedboxoflemonsundertheseat.Itlookedasifthewholearrayofinvitedguestswastoarriveinoneunbrokenprocession,butforalonghalf-hournobodyelseappeared.AnnixterandCaraherwithdrewtotheharnessroomandpromptlyinvolvedthemselvesinawrangleastothemake-upofthefamouspunch.Fromtimetotimetheirvoicescouldbeheardupliftedinclamorousargument.
“Twoquartsandahalfandacupfulofchartreuse.”
“Rot,rot,Iknowbetter.Champagnestraightandadashofbrandy.”
Thedruggist’swifeandsisterretiredtothefeedroom,whereabureauwithaswingingmirrorhadbeenplacedfortheconvenienceofthewomen.
