Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V.
“TheToilers”wastobeincludedinthisbook,and,indeed,wastogiveititsname—“TheToilersandOtherPoems.”Thusitwasthat,untilthepreviousmidnight,hehadbeenpreparingthecollectionforpublication,revising,annotating,arranging.Thebookwastobesentoffthatmorning.
ButalsoPresleyhadreceivedatypewrittennotefromAnnixter,invitinghimtoQuienSabethatsameday.AnnixterexplainedthatitwasHilma’sbirthday,andthathehadplannedapicniconthehighgroundofhisranch,attheheadwatersofBrodersonCreek.Theyweretogointhecarry-all,Hilma,Presley,Mrs.Dyke,Sidney,andhimself,andweretomakeadayofit.TheywouldleaveQuienSabeatteninthemorning.Presleyhadatonceresolvedtogo.HewasimmenselyfondofAnnixter—moresothaneversincehismarriagewithHilmaandtheastonishingtransformationofhischaracter.Hilma,aswell,wasdelightfulasMrs.Annixter;andMrs.Dykeandthelittletadhadalwaysbeenhisfriends.Hewouldhaveagoodtime.
ButnobodywastogointoBonnevillethatmorningwiththemail,andifhewishedtosendhismanuscript,hewouldhavetotakeitinhimself.Hehadresolvedtodothis,gettinganearlystart,andgoingonhorsebacktoQuienSabe,bywayofBonneville.
Itwasbarelysixo’clockwhenPresleysatdowntohiscoffeeandeggsinthedining-roomofLosMuertos.Thedaypromisedtobehot,andforthefirsttime,Presleyhadputonanewkhakiridingsuit,veryEnglish-looking,thoughinplaceoftheregulationtop-boots,heworehislacedknee-boots,withagreatspurontheleftheel.
