Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
Nevercouldhefeelinsympathywiththem,norwiththeirlives,theirways,theirmarriages,deaths,bickerings,andallthemonotonousroundoftheirsordidexistence.
“Well,youmustbequickaboutit,Bismarck,”heansweredsharply.“I’mlatefordinner,asitis.”
“Soh,now.Twominuten,undIbemityou.”Hedrewdowntheoverhangingspoutofthetanktotheventinthecircumferenceofthecartandpulledthechainthatletoutthewater.Thenheclimbeddownfromtheseat,jumpingfromthetireofthewheel,andtakingPresleybythearmledhimafewstepsdowntheroad.
“Say,”hebegan.“Say,Iwanttohefsomeconverzationsmityou.YoostdermenIwanttosee.Say,Caraher,hetolemedismorgen—say,hetolemeMist’rDerrickgowuntofarmderwholedemnrenchhisselufdernextyahr.Nomoretenants.Say,Caraher,hetolemealldertenantsgetdersach;Mist’rDerrickgowuntoworkderwholedemnrenchhisseluf,hey?ME,Igetdersachalzoh,hey?Youhefhearaboutdoseting?Say,me,Ihefonderranchbeensiebenyahr—sevenyahr.DoIalzoh——”
“You’llhavetoseeDerrickhimselforHarranaboutthat,Bismarck,”interruptedPresley,tryingtodrawaway.“That’ssomethingoutsideofmeentirely.”
ButHoovenwasnottobeputoff.Nodoubthehadbeenmeditatinghisspeechallthemorning,formulatinghiswords,preparinghisphrases.
“Say,no,no,”hecontinued.“Me,Iwantastaybeiderplace;sevenyahrIhefstay.Mist’rDerrick,hedoandwantdotIshouldbege-sacked.