Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Then,suddenlysmittenwithapanicterrorthathehadcommittedhimself,thathewasinvolvinghimselftoodeeply,hehadabruptlysentthelittlewomanaboutherbusiness.Itwashisonlyloveaffair.Afterthat,hekepthimselffree.Nopetticoatsshouldeverhaveaholdonhim.Surenot.

           AsPresleycameuptotheedgeoftheporch,pushinghisbicycleinfrontofhim,Annixterexcusedhimselffornotgettingup,allegingthatthecrampsreturnedthemomenthewasoffhisback.

           “Whatareyoudoingupthisway?”hedemanded.

           “Oh,justhavingalookaround,”answeredPresley.“How’stheranch?”

           “Say,”observedtheother,ignoringhisquestion,“what’sthisIhearaboutDerrickgivinghistenantsthebounce,andworkingLosMuertoshimself—workingALLhisland?”

           Presleymadeasharpmovementofimpatiencewithhisfreehand.“I’veheardnothingelsemyselfsincemorning.Isupposeitmustbeso.”

           “Huh!”gruntedAnnixter,spittingoutaprunestone.“YougiveMagnusDerrickmycomplimentsandtellhimhe’safool.”“Whatdoyoumean?”

           “IsupposeDerrickthinkshe’sstillrunninghismine,andthatthesameprincipleswillapplytogettinggrainoutoftheearthastogettinggold.Oh,lethimgoonandseewherehebringsup.That’sright,there’syourWesternfarmer,”heexclaimedcontemptuously.“Getthegutsoutofyourland;workittodeath;nevergiveitarest.Neveralternateyourcrop,andthenwhenyoursoilisexhausted,sitdownandroarabouthardtimes.