Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Soontheairoftheroombecamebluewithanacridhazeofsmoke.Itwasverywarm.Rangedintheirchairsaroundthesideoftheroom,theguestsemptiedglassafterglass.

           Vanameealonerefusedtodrink.Hesatalittletooneside,disassociatinghimselffromwhatwasgoingforward,watchingtheotherscalmly,alittlecontemptuously,acigaretteinhisfingers.

           Hooven,afterdrinkinghisthirdglass,however,wasafflictedwithagreatsadness;hisbreastheavedwithimmensesighs.Heassertedthathewas“obbressed;”Cutterhadtakenhissteer.Heretiredtoacornerandseatedhimselfinaheaponhischair,hisheelsontherungs,wipingthetearsfromhiseyes,refusingtobecomforted.OldBrodersonstartledAnnixter,whosatnexttohim,outofallmeasurebysuddenlywinkingathimwithinfinitecraftiness.

           “WhenIwasaladinUkiah,”hewhisperedhoarsely,“Iwasadevilofafellowwiththegirls;butLordy!”henudgedhimslyly,“Iwouldn’thaveitknown!”

           Ofthosewhoweredrinking,Annixteraloneretainedallhiswits.Thoughkeepingpacewiththeothers,glassforglass,thepunchlefthimsoliduponhisfeet,clear-headed.Thetough,cross-grainedfibreofhimseemedproofagainstalcohol.Neverinhislifehadhebeendrunk.Hepridedhimselfuponhispowerofresistance.Itwashisnature.

           “Say!”exclaimedoldBroderson,gravelyaddressingthecompany,pullingathisbearduneasily—“say!I—I—listen!I’madevilofafellowwiththegirls.”Hewaggedhisheaddoggedly,shuttinghiseyesinaknowingfashion.“Yes,sir,Iam.