Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Inthesitting-roomwastobeabeautifulblueandwhitepaper,coolstrawmatting,setoffwithwhitewoolrugs,astandofflowersinthewindow,aglobeofgoldfish,rockingchairs,asewingmachine,andagreat,roundcentretableofyellowoakwhereonshouldstandalampcoveredwithadeepshadeofcrinklyredtissuepaper.Onthewallsweretohangseveralpictures—lovelyaffairs,photographsfromlife,allproperlytinted—ofchoirboysinrobes,withbeautifuleyes;pensiveyounggirlsinpinkgowns,withflowingyellowhair,droopingovergoldenharps;acolouredreproductionof“RougetdeLisle,SingingtheMarseillaise,”andtwo“pieces”ofwoodcarving,representingaquailandawildduck,hungbyoneleginthemidstofgamebagsandpowderhorns,—quitemasterpieces,both.

           Atlasteverythinghadbeenbought,allarrangementsmade,Hilma’strunkspackedwithhernewdresses,andtheticketstoBonnevillebought.

           “We’llgobytheOverland,byJingo,”declaredAnnixteracrossthetabletohiswife,attheirlastmealinthehotelwheretheyhadbeenstopping;“nowaytrainsorlocalsforus,hey?”

           “ButwereachBonnevilleatSUCHanhour,”protestedHilma.“Fiveinthemorning!”

           “Nevermind,”hedeclared,“we’llgohomeinPULLMAN’S,Hilma.I’mnotgoingtohaveanyofthoseslobsinBonnevillesayIdidn’tknowhowtodothethinginstyle,andwe’llhaveVaccameetuswiththeteam.No,sir,itisPullman’sornothing.Whenitcomestobuyingfurniture,Idon’tshine,perhaps,butIknowwhat’sduemywife.