Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           ThankGod,thehomesteadwasfreeofmortgage;onegoodseasonwouldmorethanmakeupthedifference.

           Hewasinabettermoodbythetimehereachedthedrivewaythatleduptotheranchhouse,andasheraisedhiseyestowardthehouseitself,hecouldnotbutfeelthatthesightofhishomewascheering.Theranchhousewassetinagreatgroveofeucalyptus,oak,andcypress,enormoustreesgrowingfromoutalawnthatwasasgreen,asfresh,andaswell-groomedasanyinagardeninthecity.Thislawnflankedallonesideofthehouse,anditwasonthissidethatthefamilyelectedtospendmostofitstime.Theotherside,lookingoutupontheHomeranchtowardBonnevilleandtherailroad,wasbutlittleused.Adeepporchranthewholelengthofthehousehere,andinthelowerbranchesofalive-oaknearthestepsHarranhadbuiltalittlesummerhouseforhismother.Totheleftoftheranchhouseitself,towardtheCountyRoad,wasthebunk-houseandkitchenforsomeofthehands.Fromthestepsoftheporchtheviewtothesouthwardexpandedtoinfinity.Therewasnotsomuchasatwigtoobstructtheview.Inoneleaptheeyereachedthefine,delicatelinewhereearthandskymet,milesaway.Theflatmonotonyoftheland,cleanoffencing,wasbrokenbyonespotonly,theroofoftheDivisionSuperintendent’shouseonThree—amerespeck,justdarkerthantheground.Cutter’shouseonFourwasnoteveninsight.Thatwasbelowthehorizon.

           AsHarrancameuphesawhismotheratbreakfast.ThetablehadbeensetontheporchandMrs.