Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V.
PresleyarrivedatQuienSabenearlyhalfanhourbehindtheappointedtime;but,ashehadexpected,thepartywereinnowayreadytostart.Thecarry-all,itshorsescoveredwithwhitefly-nets,stoodunderatreenearthehouse,youngVaccadozingontheseat.HilmaandSidney,thelatterexuberantwithagayetythatallbutbroughtthetearstoPresley’seyes,weremakingsandwichesonthebackporch.Mrs.Dykewasnowheretobeseen,andAnnixterwasshavinghimselfinhisbedroom.
Thislatterputahalf-latheredfaceoutofthewindowasPresleycanteredthroughthegate,andwavedhisrazorwithabeckoningmotion.
“Comeonin,Pres,”hecried.“Nobody’sreadyyet.You’rehoursaheadoftime.”
Presleycameintothebedroom,hishugespurclinkingonthestrawmatting.Annixterwaswithoutcoat,vestorcollar,hisbluesilksuspendershunginloopsovereitherhip,hishairwasdisordered,thecrownlockstifferthanever.
“Gladtoseeyou,oldboy,”heannounced,asPresleycamein.“No,don’tshakehands,I’malllather.Here,findachair,willyou?Iwon’tbelong.”
“Ithoughtyousaidteno’clock,”observedPresley,sittingdownontheedgeofthebed.
“Well,Idid,but——”
“But,thenagain,inaway,youdidn’t,hey?”hisfriendinterrupted.
Annixtergruntedgood-humouredly,andturnedtostrophisrazor.Presleylookedwithsuspiciousdisfavourathissuspenders.
“Whyisit,”heobserved,“thatassoonasamanisabouttogetmarried,hebuyshimselfpalebluesuspenders,silkones?Thinkofit.You,BuckAnnixter,withsky-blue,silksuspenders.
