Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VIII
Onthestreetcornerhestoodforalongtime,frowningintroubleandperplexity.Hissuspicionshadbeenonlytoowellfounded.Solongagoasaweek,theHoovenshadexhaustedalltheirlittlestoreofmoney.Forsevendaysnowtheyhadbeenwithoutresources,unless,indeed,workhadbeenfound;“andwhat,”heaskedhimself,“whatworkinGod’snamecouldtheyfindtodohereinthecity?”
Sevendays!Hequailedatthethoughtofit.Sevendayswithoutmoney,knowingnotasoulinallthatswarmingcity.IgnorantofcitylifeasbothMinnaandhermotherwere,wouldtheyevenrealisethattherewereinstitutionsbuiltandgenerouslyendowedforjustsuchasthey?Heknewthemtohavetheirshareofpride,thedoggedsullenprideofthepeasant;eveniftheyknewofcharitableorganisations,wouldthey,couldtheybringthemselvestoapplythere?ApoignantanxietythrustitselfsharplyintoPresley’sheart.