Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Throughoutthewholebriefinterviewshehadbeenmiserablytongue-tied,stammeringmonosyllables,confused,horriblyawkward,andwhenAnnixterhadgoneaway,shehadfledtoherlittleroom,andboltingthedoor,hadflungherselffacedownwardonthebedandweptasthoughherheartwerebreaking,shedidnotknowwhy.

           ThatAnnixterhadbeenoverwhelmedwithbusinessallthroughthewinterwasaninexpressiblerelieftoHilma.Hisaffairstookhimawayfromtheranchcontinually.Hewasabsentsometimesforweeks,makingtripstoSanFrancisco,ortoSacramento,ortoBonneville.Perhapshewasforgettingher,overlookingher;andwhile,atfirst,shetoldherselfthatsheaskednothingbetter,theideaofitbegantooccupyhermind.Shebegantowonderifitwasreallyso.

           Sheknewhistrouble.Everybodydid.ThenewsofthesuddenforwardmovementoftheRailroad’sforces,inauguratingthecampaign,hadflaredwhite-hotandblazingalloverthecountryside.ToHilma’snotion,Annixter’sattitudewasheroicbeyondallexpression.HiscourageinfacingtheRailroad,ashehadfacedDelaneyinthebarn,seemedtoherthepitchofsublimity.Sherefusedtoseeanyauxiliariesaidinghiminhisfight.Toherimagination,thegreatLeague,whichalltherancherswerejoining,wasamereform.Single-handed,Annixterfrontedthemonster.ButforhimthecorporationwouldgobbleQuienSabe,asawhalewouldaminnow.Hewasaherowhostoodbetweenthemallanddestruction.Hewasaprotectorofherfamily.Hewasherchampion.