Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
Soheandhiswife,followingtheporterdownthenarrowpassagebythestateroom,tooktheirplacesand,raisingthewindow,leanedouttosaygood-byetoMr.andMrs.Tree.TheselatterwouldnotreturntoQuienSabe.OldmanTreehadfoundabusinesschanceawaitinghiminthematterofsupplyinghisrelative’shotelwithdairyproducts.ButBonnevillewasnottoofarfromSanFrancisco;theseparationwasbynomeansfinal.
Theportersbegantakingupthestepsthatstoodbythevestibuleofeachsleeping-car.
“Well,haveagoodtime,daughter,”observedherfather;“andcomeuptoseeuswheneveryoucan.”
Frombeyondtheenclosureofthedepot’sreverberatingroofcamethemeasuredclangofabell.
“Iguesswe’reoff,”criedAnnixter.“Good-bye,Mrs.Tree.”
“Rememberyourpromise,Hilma,”hermotherhastenedtoexclaim,“towriteeverySundayafternoon.”
Therecameaprolongedcreakingandgroanofstrainingwoodandironwork,allalongthelengthofthetrain.Theyallbegantocrytheirgood-byesatonce.Thetrainstirred,movedforward,andgatheringslowheadway,rolledslowlyoutintothesunlight.Hilmaleanedoutofthewindowandaslongasshecouldkeephermotherinsightwavedherhandkerchief.Thenatlengthshesatbackinherseatandlookedatherhusband.
“Well,”shesaid.
“Well,”echoedAnnixter,“happy?”forthetearsroseinhereyes.
Shenoddedenergetically,smilingathimbravely.
“Youlookalittlepale,”hedeclared,frowninguneasily;“feelwell?”
“Prettywell.”
Promptlyhewasseizedwithuneasiness.
