Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
OldBrodersonsteppedoffwiththealacrityofacolt,snappinghisfingers,slappinghisthigh,hismouthwideninginanexcitedgrin.Theentirecompanyoftheguestsshouted.TheCityBandredoubledtheirefforts;andtheoldman,losinghishead,breathless,gasping,dislocatedhisstiffjointsinhisefforts.Hebecamepossessed,bowing,scraping,advancing,retreating,wagginghisbeard,cuttingpigeons’wings,distraughtwiththemusic,theclamour,theapplause,theeffectsofthefertiliser.
Annixtershouted:
“Niceeye,SantaClaus.”
ButAnnixter’sattentionwandered.HesearchedforHilmaTree,havingstillinmindthelookinhereyesatthatswiftmomentofdanger.Hehadnotseenhersincethen.Atlasthecaughtsightofher.Shewasnotdancing,but,instead,wassittingwithher“partner”attheendofthebarnnearherfatherandmother,hereyeswide,aseriousexpressiononherface,herthoughts,nodoubt,elsewhere.Annixterwasabouttogotoherwhenhewasinterruptedbyacry.
OldBroderson,inthemidstofadoubleshuffle,hadclappedhishandtohissidewithagasp,whichhefollowedbyawhoopofanguish.Hehadgotastitchorhadstartedatwingesomewhere.Withagestureofresignation,hedrewhimselflaboriouslyoutofthedance,limpingabominably,onelegdragging.Hewasheardaskingforhiswife.OldMrs.Brodersontookhimincharge.Shejawedhimformakinganexhibitionofhimself,scoldingasthoughhewereaten-year-old.
