Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
Wasitpossible?Wasitpossible?
“Haveyoudoneyourbest?”ForasecondhecompelledLyman’seye.Theglancesoffatherandsonmet,and,inspiteofhisbestefforts,Lyman’seyeswavered.Hebegantoprotestoncemore,explainingthematteroveragainfromthebeginning.ButMagnusdidnotlisten.Inthatbrieflapseoftimehewasconvincedthattheterriblethinghadhappened,thattheunbelievablehadcometopass.Itwasintheair.Betweenfatherandson,insomesubtlefashion,thetruththatwasaliestoodsuddenlyrevealed.ButeventhenMagnuswouldnotreceiveit.Lymandothis!Hisson,hiseldestson,descendtothis!Oncemoreandforthelasttimeheturnedtohimandinhisvoicetherewasthatringthatcompelledsilence.
“Lyman,”hesaid,“Iadjureyou—I—Idemandofyouasyouaremysonandanhonourableman,explainyourself.Whatistherebehindallthis?ItisnolongerasChairmanoftheCommitteeIspeaktoyou,youamemberoftheRailroadCommission.Itisyourfatherwhospeaks,andIaddressyouasmyson.Doyouunderstandthegravityofthiscrisis;doyourealisetheresponsibilityofyourposition;doyounotseetheimportanceofthismoment?Explainyourself.”
“Thereisnothingtoexplain.”
“YouhavenotreducedratesintheSanJoaquin?YouhavenotreducedratesbetweenBonnevilleandtidewater?”
“Irepeat,sir,whatIsaidbefore.Anaveragetenpercent.cut——”
“Lyman,answerme,yesorno.HaveyoureducedtheBonnevillerate?”
“Itcouldnotbedonesosoon.Giveustime.
