Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Halfahundredhandsstretchedtowardhim;thirtyvoices,attoppitch,implored,expostulated,urged,almostcommanded.Thereverberationoftheshoutingwasastheplungeofacataract.

           ItwastheuprisingofThePeople;thethunderoftheoutbreakofrevolt;themobdemandingtobeled,arousedatlast,imperious,resistless,overwhelming.Itwastheblindfuryofinsurrection,thebrute,many-tongued,red-eyed,bellowingforguidance,baringitsteeth,unsheathingitsclaws,imposingitswillwiththeabrupt,resistlesspressureoftherelaxedpiston,inexorable,knowingnopity.

           “No,no,”imploredAnnieDerrick.“No,Magnus,don’tsign.”

           “Hemust,”declaredHarran,shoutinginhereartomakehimselfheard,“hemust.Don’tyouunderstand?”

           Againthecrowdsurgedforward,roaring.Mrs.Derrickwassweptback,pushedtooneside.Herhusbandnolongerbelongedtoher.Shepaidthepenaltyforbeingthewifeofagreatman.Theworld,likeacolossalironwedge,crusheditselfbetween.Shewasthrusttothewall.Thethrongofmen,stamping,surroundedMagnus;shecouldnolongerseehim,but,terror-struck,shelistened.Therewasamoment’slull,thenavastthunderofsavagejubilation.Magnushadsigned.

           Harranfoundhismotherleaningagainstthewall,herhandsshutoverherears;hereyes,dilatedwithfear,brimmingwithtears.Heledherfromtheharnessroomtotheouterroom,whereMrs.TreeandHilmatookchargeofher,andthen,impatient,refusingtoanswerthehundredsofanxiousquestionsthatassailedhim,hurriedbacktotheharnessroom.