Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           BetweenAnnixterandHilma’sparents,areconciliationhadbeeneffected,AnnixterconvincingthembothofhissincerityinwishingtomakeHilmahiswife.Hilma,however,refusedtoseehim.AssoonassheknewhehadfollowedhertoSanFranciscoshehadbeenunwillingtoreturntothehotelandhadarrangedwithhercousintospendanindefinitetimeatherhouse.

           Shewaswretchedlyunhappyduringallthistime;wouldnotsetfootoutofdoors,andcriedherselftosleepnightafternight.Shedetestedthecity.Alreadyshewasmiserablyhomesickfortheranch.Sherememberedthedaysshehadspentinthelittledairy-house,happyinherwork,makingbutterandcheese;skimmingthegreatpansofmilk,scouringthecoppervesselsandvats,plungingherarms,elbowdeep,intothewhitecurds;comingandgoinginthatatmosphereoffreshness,cleanliness,andsunlight,gay,singing,supremelyhappyjustbecausethesunshone.SherememberedherlongwalkstowardtheMissionlateintheafternoons,herexcursionsforcressesunderneaththeLongTrestle,thecrowingofthecocks,thedistantwhistleofthepassingtrains,thefaintsoundingoftheAngelus.Sherecalledwithinfinitelongingthesolitaryexpanseoftheranches,thelevelreachesbetweenthehorizons,fulloflightandsilence;theheatatnoon,thecloudlessiridescenceofthesunriseandsunset.Shehadbeensohappyinthatlife!Now,allthosedayswerepassed.Thiscrude,rawcity,withitscrowdinghousesallofwoodandtin,itsblottingfogs,itsuproarioustradewinds,disturbedandsaddenedher.Therewasnooutlookforthefuture.