Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           ShehadhandedPresleytheplatter,andwasnowsittingwithherbackagainstthetree,betweentwobolesoftheroots.Thepositionwasalittleelevatedandthesupportingrootsoneithersideofherwerelikethearmsofagreatchair—achairofstate.Shesatthus,asonathrone,raisedabovetherest,theradianceoftheunseencrownofmotherhoodglowingfromherforehead,thebeautyoftheperfectwomansurroundingherlikeaglory.

           AndthejoshdiedawayonOsterman’slips,andunconsciouslyandswiftlyhebaredhishead.Somethingwaspassingthereintheairabouthimthathedidnotunderstand,something,however,thatimposedreverenceandprofoundrespect.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,embarrassmentseizeduponhim,uponthisjoker,thiswearerofclothes,thistelleroffunnystories,withhislarge,redears,baldheadandcomicactor’sface.Hestammeredconfusedlyandtookhimselfaway,forthemomentabstracted,serious,lostinthought.

           Bynoweveryonewaseating.ItwasthefeedingofthePeople,elemental,gross,agreatappeasingofappetite,anenormousquenchingofthirst.Quartersofbeef,roasts,ribs,shoulders,hauncheswereconsumed,loavesofbreadbythethousandsdisappeared,wholebarrelsofwinewentdownthedryanddustythroatsofthemultitude.ConversationlaggedwhilethePeopleate,whilehungerwasappeased.Everybodyhadtheirfill.Oneateforthesakeofeating,resolvedthatthereshouldbenothingleft,consideringitamatterofpridetoexhibitacleanplate.

           Afterdinner,preparationsweremadeforgames.