Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Arealizationofhisboundlesshappinessinthislovehegaveandreceived,thethoughtthatHilmaTRUSTEDhim,aknowledgeofhisownunworthiness,avastandhumblethankfulnessthathisGodhadchosenhimofallmenforthisgreatjoy,hadbroughthimtohiskneesforthefirsttimeinallhistroubled,restlesslifeofcombatandaggression.Heprayed,heknewnotwhat,—vaguewords,wordlessthoughts,resolvingfiercelytodoright,tomakesomereturnforGod’sgiftthusplacedwithinhishands.
WhereonceAnnixterhadthoughtonlyofhimself,henowthoughtonlyofHilma.ThetimewhenthisthoughtofanothershouldbroadenandwidenintothoughtofOTHERS,wasyettocome;butalreadyithadexpandedtoincludetheunbornchild—already,asinthecaseofMrs.Dyke,ithadbroadenedtoenfoldanotherchildandanothermotherboundtohimbynotiesotherthanthoseofhumanityandpity.Intime,startingfromthispointitwouldreachoutmoreandmoretillitshouldtakeinallmenandallwomen,andtheintolerantselfishman,whileretainingallofhisnativestrength,shouldbecometolerantandgenerous,kindandforgiving.
Forthemoment,however,thetwonaturesstruggledwithinhim.Afightwastobefought,onemore,thelast,thefiercest,theattackoftheenemywhomenacedhisveryhomeandhearth,wastoberesisted.Then,peaceattained,arresteddevelopmentwouldoncemoreproceed.
Hilmalookedfromthecarry-all,scanningtheopenplaininfrontoftheadvancinglineofthedrive.
“Wherearetherabbits?”sheaskedofAnnixter.“Idon’tseeanyatall.