Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Alreadytwoentirebeeveswereroastingthere;teamswerehitched,saddlesremoved,andmen,women,andchildren,agreatthrong,spreadoutundertheshadeoftheliveoaks.Avastconfusedclamourroseintheair,ababeloftalk,aclatteroftinplates,ofknivesandforks.Bottleswereuncorked,napkinsandoil-clothsspreadovertheground.Themenlitpipesandcigars,thewomenseizedtheoccasiontonursetheirbabies.

           Osterman,ubiquitousasever,resplendentinhisbootsandEnglishridingbreeches,movedaboutbetweenthegroups,keepingupanendlessflowoftalk,crackingjokes,winking,nudging,gesturing,puttinghistongueinhischeek,neveratalossforareply,playingthegoat.

           “Thatjosher,Osterman,alwaysathismonkey-shines,butagoodfellowforallthat;brainytoo.Nothingstuckupabouthimeither,likeMagnusDerrick.”

           “Everythingallright,Buck?”inquiredOsterman,cominguptowhereAnnixter,HilmaandMrs.Derrickweresittingdowntotheirlunch.

           “Yes,yes,everythingright.Butwe’venocork-screw.”

           “Noscrew-cork—noscare-crow?Hereyouare,”andhedrewfromhispocketasilver-platedjack-knifewithacork-screwattachment.HarranandPresleycameup,bearingbetweenthemagreatsmoking,roastedportionofbeefjustoffthefire.Hilmahastenedtoputforwardahugechinaplatter.

           Ostermanhadajoketocrackwiththetwoboys,ajokethatwasratherbroad,butasheturnedabout,thewordsalmostonhislips,hisglancefelluponHilmaherself,whomhehadnotseenformorethantwomonths.