Спрут: Калифорнийская история

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           Outsidethedancingwasbythistimeinfullswing.Theorchestrawasplayingapolka.YoungVacca,nowathisfiftiethwaxcandle,hadbroughtthefloortotheslipperysurfaceofglass.ThedruggistwasdancingwithoneoftheSpanish-Mexicangirlswiththesolemnityofanautomaton,turningaboutandabout,alwaysinthesamedirection,hiseyesglassy,histeethset.HilmaTreewasdancingforthesecondtimewithHarranDerrick.Shedancedwithinfinitegrace.Hercheekswerebrightred,hereyeshalf-closed,andthroughherpartedlipsshedrewfromtimetotimealong,tremulousbreathofpuredelight.Themusic,theweavingcolours,theheatoftheair,bynowalittleoppressive,themonotonyofrepeatedsensation,eventhepainofphysicalfatiguehadexaltedallhersenses.Shewasinadreamylethargyofhappiness.Itwasher“firstball.”Shecouldhavedancedwithoutstoppinguntilmorning.MinnaHoovenandCutterwere“promenading.”Mrs.Hooven,withlittleHildaalreadyasleeponherknees,nevertookhereyesfromherdaughter’sgown.AsoftenasMinnapassednearhersheventedanenergetic“pst!pst!”ThemetaltipofawhitedrawstringwasshowingfromunderneaththewaistofMinna’sdress.Mrs.Hoovenwasonthepointoftears.

           ThesolitarygaylyapparelledclerkfromBonnevillewasinafeverofagitation.Hehadlosthiselaborateprogrammecard.