Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
Annixter,checkingoffthestations,notedtheirpassageofModesto,Merced,andMadeira.Then,afteranotherbrokennap,helostcount.Hewonderedwheretheywere.HadtheyreachedFresnoyet?Raisingthewindowcurtain,hemadeashadewithbothhandsoneithersideofhisfaceandlookedout.Thenightwasthick,dark,cloudedover.Afinerainwasfalling,leavinghorizontalstreaksontheglassoftheoutsidewindow.Onlythefaintestgreyblurindicatedthesky.Everythingelsewasimpenetrableblackness.
“IthinksurewemusthavepassedFresno,”hemuttered.Helookedathiswatch.Itwasabouthalf-pastthree.“IfwehavepassedFresno,”hesaidtohimself,“I’dbetterwakethelittlegirlprettysoon.She’llneedaboutanhourtodress.Betterfindoutforsure.”
Hedrewonhistrousersandshoes,gotintohiscoat,andsteppedoutintotheaisle.Intheseatthathadbeenoccupiedbytheporter,thePullmanconductor,hiscashboxandcar-schedulesbeforehim,wascheckinguphisberths,abluepencilbehindhisear.
“What’sthenextstop,Captain?”inquiredAnnixter,comingup.“HavewereachedFresnoyet?”
“Justpassedit,”theotherresponded,lookingatAnnixteroverhisspectacles.
“What’sthenextstop?”
“Goshen.Wewillbethereinaboutforty-fiveminutes.”
“Fairblacknight,isn’tit?”
“Blackasapocket.Let’ssee,you’rethepartyinupperandlower9.”
Annixtercaughtatthebackofthenearestseat,justintimetopreventafall,andtheconductor’scashboxwasshuntedoffthesurfaceoftheplushseatandcameclankingtothefloor.
