Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Atlast,theconfusionofherideas,likefrightenedbirds,re-settling,adjusteditself,andsheemergedfromthetroublecalm,serene,enteringintoherdivineright,likeaqueenintotheruleofarealmofperpetualpeace.

           Andwiththis,withtheknowledgethatthecrownhungpoisedaboveherhead,therecameuponHilmaagentlenessinfinitelybeautiful,infinitelypathetic;asweetnessthattouchedallwhocamenearherwiththesoftnessofacaress.ShemovedsurroundedbyaninvisibleatmosphereofLove.Lovewasinherwide-openedbrowneyes,Love—thedimreflectionofthatdescendingcrownpoisedoverherhead—radiatedinafaintlustrefromherdark,thickhair.Aroundherbeautifulneck,slopingtohershoulderswithfull,gracefulcurves,Lovelayencircledlikeanecklace—Lovethatwasbeyondwords,sweet,breathedfromherpartedlips.Fromherwhite,largearmsdownwardtoherpinkfinger-tips—Love,aninvisibleelectricfluid,disengageditself,subtle,alluring.Inthevelvetyhuskinessofhervoice,Lovevibratedlikeanoteofunknownmusic.

           Annixter,heruncouth,ruggedhusband,livinginthisinfluenceofawife,whowasalsoamother,atallhourstouchedtothequickbythissenseofnobility,ofgentlenessandoflove,theinstinctsofafatheralreadyclutchingandtuggingathisheart,wastremblingonthevergeofamightytransformation.Thehardnessandinhumanityofthemanwasfastbreakingup.Onenight,returninglatetotheRanchhouse,afteracompulsoryvisittothecity,hehadcomeuponHilmaasleep.Hehadneverforgottenthatnight.