Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Annixterhadengagedanentiresection,andafterheandhiswifewenttobedhadtheporterclosetheupperberth.Hilmasatupinbedtosayherprayers,bothhandsoverherface,andthenkissingAnnixtergood-night,wenttosleepwiththedirectnessofalittlechild,holdinghishandinbothherown.

           Annixter,whonevercouldsleeponthetrain,dozedandtossedandfrettedforhours,consultinghiswatchandtime-tablewhenevertherewasastop;twiceherosetogetadrinkoficewater,andbetweenwhileswasforeversittingupinthenarrowberth,stretchinghimselfandyawning,murmuringwithuncertainrelevance:

           “Oh,Lord!Oh-h-hLORD!”

           Thereweresomedozenotherpassengersinthecar—aladywiththreechildren,agroupofschool-teachers,acoupleofdrummers,astoutgentlemanwithwhiskers,andawell-dressedyoungmaninaplaidtravellingcap,whomAnnixterhadobservedbeforesuppertimereadingDaudet’s“Tartarin”intheFrench.

           Butbynineo’clock,allthesepeoplewereintheirberths.Occasionally,abovetherhythmicrumbleofthewheels,Annixtercouldhearoneofthelady’schildrenfidgetingandcomplaining.Thestoutgentlemansnoredmonotonouslyintwonotes,onearaspingbass,theotheraprolongedtreble.Atintervals,abrakemanorthepassengerconductorpusheddowntheaisle,betweenthecurtains,hisredandwhitelampoverhisarm.LookingoutintothecarAnnixtersawinanendsectionwheretheberthshadnotbeenmadeup,theporter,inhiswhiteduckcoat,dozing,hismouthwideopen,hisheadonhisshoulder.

           Thehourspassed.Midnightcameandwent.