Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V.
Youknow,Ithinkthat’sratherwhiteofyou.”
“Oh,rot,Pres,”mutteredAnnixter,turningabruptlytohisshaving.
“Andyoucan’tfoolme,either,oldman,”Presleycontinued.“You’regivingthispicnicasmuchforMrs.Dykeandthelittletadasyouareforyourwife,justtocheerthemupabit.”
“Oh,pshaw,youmakemesick.”
“Well,that’stherightthingtodo,Buck,andI’masgladforyoursakeasIamfortheirs.Therewasatimewhenyouwouldhaveletthemallgotograss,andneversomuchasthoughtofthem.Idon’twanttoseemtobeofficious,butyou’vechangedforthebetter,oldman,andIguessIknowwhy.She—”Presleycaughthisfriend’seye,andaddedgravely,“She’sagoodwoman,Buck.”
Annixterturnedaroundabruptly,hisfaceflushingunderitslather.
“Pres,”heexclaimed,“she’smadeamanofme.Iwasamachinebefore,andifanotherman,orwoman,orchildgotinmyway,Irode’emdown,andIneverDREAMEDofanybodyelsebutmyself.ButassoonasIwokeuptothefactthatIreallylovedher,why,itwasgloryhallelujahallinaminute,and,inaway,Ikindoflovedeverybodythen,andwantedtobeeverybody’sfriend.AndIbegantoseethatafellowcan’tliveFORhimselfanymorethanhecanliveBYhimself.He’sgottothinkofothers.
