Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
Afterluncheonwasover,Lymanorderedcigarsandliqueurs,andwiththethreeothersreturnedtothemainroomoftheclub.However,theirformerplaceintheroundwindowwasoccupied.Amiddle-agedman,withirongreyhairandmoustache,whoworeafrockcoatandawhitewaistcoat,andinsomeindefinablemannersuggestedaretirednavalofficer,wassittingattheirtablesmokingalong,thincigar.Atsightofhim,Presleybecameanimated.Heutteredamildexclamation:
“Why,isn’tthatMr.Cedarquist?”
“Cedarquist?”repeatedLymanDerrick.“Iknowhimwell.Yes,ofcourse,itis,”hecontinued.“Governor,youmustknowhim.Heisoneofourrepresentativemen.Youwouldenjoytalkingtohim.HewastheheadofthebigAtlasIronWorks.Theyhaveshutdownrecently,youknow.Notfailedexactly,butjustceasedtobeapayinginvestment,andCedarquistclosedthemout.Hehasotherinterests,though.He’sarichman—acapitalist.”
Lymanbroughtthegroupuptothegentlemaninquestionandintroducedthem.“Mr.MagnusDerrick,ofcourse,”observedCedarquist,ashetooktheGovernor’shand.“I’veknownyoubyreputeforsometime,sir.Thisisagreatpleasure,Iassureyou.”Then,turningtoPresley,headded:“Hello,Pres,myboy.Howisthegreat,theverygreatPoemgettingon?”
“It’snotgettingonatall,sir,”answeredPresley,insomeembarrassment,astheyallsatdown.“Infact,I’veaboutgivenuptheidea.There’ssomuchinterestinwhatyoumightcall’livingissues’downatLosMuertosnow,thatI’mgettingfurtherandfurtherfromiteveryday.
