Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Cursingtheintruder,Annixterunboltedandopenedthedoor.Butatoncehismannerchanged.
“Hello.It’sPresley.Comein,comein,Pres.”
Therewasashoutofwelcomefromtheothers.Aspiritofeffusivecordialityhadbeguntodominatethegathering.AnnixtercaughtsightofVanameebackofPresley,andwaivingforthemomentthedistinctionofemployerandemployee,insistedthatboththefriendsshouldcomein.
“AnyfriendofPresismyfriend,”hedeclared.
Butwhenthetwohadenteredandhadexchangedgreetings,PresleydrewAnnixteraside.
“VanameeandIhavejustcomefromBonneville,”heexplained.“WesawDelaneythere.He’sgotthebuckskin,andhe’sfullofbadwhiskeyanddago-red.Youshouldseehim;he’swearingallhiscow-punchingoutfit,hairtrousers,sombrero,spursandalltherestofit,andhehasstrappedhimselftoabigrevolver.Hesayshewasn’tinvitedtoyourbarndancebutthathe’scomingovertoshootuptheplace.HesaysyoupromisedtoshowhimoffQuienSabeatthetoeofyourbootandthathe’sgoingtogiveyouthechanceto-night!”“Ah,”commentedAnnixter,noddinghishead,“heis,ishe?”
Presleywasdisappointed.KnowingAnnixter’sirascibility,hehadexpectedtoproduceamoredramaticeffect.Hebegantoexplainthedangerofthebusiness.DelaneyhadonceknifedagreaserinthePanamintcountry.Hewasknownasa“bad”man.ButAnnixterrefusedtobedrawn.
“Allright,”hesaid,“that’sallright.Don’ttellanybodyelse.Youmightscarethegirlsoff.Getinanddrink.
