Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Thesenseofpersonalhonourbecamerefinedtoadelicate,finepoint.Upontheslightestpretexttherewasahaughtydrawingupofthefigure,atwistingofthelipsintoasmileofscorn.CaraherspokeofshootingS.Behrmanonsightbeforetheendoftheweek.TwiceitbecamenecessarytoseparateHoovenandCutter,renewingtheirquarrelastotheownershipofthesteer.AllatonceMinnaHooven’s“partner”felluponthegaylyapparelledclerkfromBonneville,pummellinghimwithhisfists,hustlinghimoutofthehall,vociferatingthatMissHoovenhadbeengrosslyinsulted.Ittookthreementoextricatetheclerkfromhisclutches,dazed,gasping,hiscollarunfastenedandstickingupintohisface,hiseyesstaringwildlyintothefacesofthecrowd.

           ButAnnixter,burstingwithpride,hischestthrownout,hischinintheair,reignedenthronedinacircleofadulation.HewastheHero.Toshakehimbythehandwasanhonourtobestruggledfor.Oneclappedhimonthebackwithsolemnnodsofapproval.“There’stheBOYforyou;”“Therewasnerveforyou;”“What’sthematterwithAnnixter?”“HowaboutTHATforsand,andhowwasTHATforaSHOT?”“Why,ApacheKidcouldn’thavebetteredthat.”“Coolenough.”“Tookasteadyeyeandasurehandtomakeashotlikethat.”“TherewasashotthatwouldbetoldaboutinTulareCountyfiftyyearstocome.”

           Annixterhadrefrainedfromreplying,allearstothisconversation,wonderingjustwhathadhappened.HeknewonlythatDelaneyhadrun,leavinghisrevolverandaspatterofbloodbehindhim.