Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Shefoundaspotaroundthebaseofoneofthesupportsofthetrestlewherethecressesgrewthickest,andpluckedacoupleofhandfuls,washingtheminthecreekandpinningthemupinherhandkerchief.Itmadealittle,round,coldbundle,andHilma,warmfromherwalk,foundadeliciousenjoymentinpressingthedampballofittohercheeksandneck.

           ForallthechangethatAnnixterhadnotedinherupontheoccasionofthebarndance,Hilmaremainedinmanythingsayoungchild.Shewasneveratlossforenjoyment,andcouldalwaysamuseherselfwhenleftalone.Justnow,shechosetodrinkfromthecreek,lyingproneontheground,herfacehalf-buriedinthewater,andthis,notbecauseshewasthirsty,butbecauseitwasanewwaytodrink.Sheimaginedherselfabelatedtraveller,apoorgirl,anoutcast,quenchingherthirstatthewaysidebrook,herlittlepacketofcressesdoingdutyforabundleofclothes.Nightwascomingon.Perhapsitwouldstorm.Shehadnowheretogo.Shewouldapplyatahutforshelter.

           Abruptly,thetemptationtodabbleherfeetinthecreekpresenteditselftoher.Alwaysshehadlikedtoplayinthewater.Whatadelightnowtotakeoffhershoesandstockingsandwadeoutintotheshallowsnearthebank!Shehadwornlowshoesthatafternoon,andthedustofthetrailhadfilteredinabovetheedges.Attimes,shefeltthegritandgreysandonthesolesofherfeet,andthesensationhadsetherteethonedge.Whatadeliciousalternativethecold,cleanwatersuggested,andhoweasyitwouldbetodoasshepleasedjustthen,ifonlyshewerealittlegirl.