Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
HewasayoungmanfromBonneville—aclerk,Ithink,becauseIrememberseeinghiminastorethere,andheworetheprettiestclothes!”
“Iguesshegotlostintheshuffle,”observedAnnixter.Suddenlyanideaoccurredtohim.Hetookhisresolutioninbothhands.Heclenchedhisteeth.
“Say!lookhere,MissHilma.What’sthematterwithyouandIstealingthisoneforourselves?Idon’tmeantodance.Idon’tproposetomakeajumping-jackofmyselfforsomegaloottogivemethelaugh,butwe’llwalkaround.Willyou?Whatdoyousay?”
Hilmaconsented.
“I’mnotsoVERYsorryImissedmydancewiththat—that—littleclerk,”shesaidguiltily.“Isupposethat’sverybadofme,isn’tit?”
Annixterfulminatedavigorousprotest.
“IAMsowarm!”murmuredHilma,fanningherselfwithherhandkerchief;“and,oh!SUCHagoodtimeasIhavehad!IwassoafraidthatIwouldbeawall-flowerandsitupbymammaandpapathewholeevening;andasitis,Ihavehadeverysingledance,andevensomedancesIhadtosplit.Oh-h!”shebreathed,glancinglovinglyaroundthebarn,notingagainthefestoonsoftri-colouredcambric,theJapaneselanterns,flaringlamps,and“decorations”ofevergreen;“oh-h!it’sallsolovely,justlikeafairystory;andtothinkthatitcan’tlastbutforonelittleevening,andthatto-morrowmorningonemustwakeuptotheevery-daythingsagain!”
“Well,”observedAnnixterdoggedly,unwillingthatsheshouldforgetwhomsheoughttothank,“Ididmybest,andmybestisasgoodasanotherman’s,Iguess.
