Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           DykehadsatupwithHilma,comfortingherasbestshecould,rockinghertoandfroinherarms,cryingwithher,tryingtoquiether,foroncehavinggivenwaytohergrief,Hilmaweptwithaterribleanguishandaviolencethatrackedherfromheadtofoot,andatlast,wornout,alittlechildagain,hadsobbedherselftosleepintheolderwoman’sarms,andasalittlechild,Mrs.Dykehadputhertobedandhadretiredherself.

           Arousedafewhourslaterbythesoundsofadistressthatwasphysical,aswellasmental,Mrs.DykehurriedintoHilma’sroom,carryingthelampwithher.Mrs.Dykeneedednoenlightenment.ShewokePresleyandbesoughthimtotelephonetoBonnevilleatonce,summoningadoctor.ThatnightHilmaingreatpainsufferedamiscarriage.

           Presleydidnotclosehiseyesonceduringthenight;hedidnotevenremovehisclothes.Longafterthedoctorhaddepartedandthathouseoftragedyhadquieteddown,hestillremainedinhisplacebytheopenwindowofhislittleroom,lookingoffacrosstheleaguesofgrowingwheat,watchingtheslowkindlingofthedawn.Horrorweighedintolerablyuponhim.Monstrousthings,huge,terrible,whosenamesheknewonlytoowell,whirledatagallopthroughhisimagination,orrosespectralandgrislybeforetheeyesofhismind.Harrandead,Annixterdead,Brodersondead,Osterman,perhaps,evenatthatmomentdying.Why,thesemenhadmadeuphisworld.Annixterhadbeenhisbestfriend,Harran,hisalmostdailycompanion;BrodersonandOstermanwerefamiliartohimasbrothers.