Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VIII
I’vereadit,andI’veseenthepictureinCedarquist’shouse,thepictureyoutooktheideafrom.”
Presley,hissensesnevermorealive,observedthat,curiouslyenough,Shelgrimdidnotmovehisbody.Hisarmsmoved,andhishead,butthegreatbulkofthemanremainedimmobileinitsplace,andastheinterviewproceededandthispeculiarityemphasiseditself,PresleybegantoconceivetheoddideathatShelgrimhad,asitwere,placedhisbodyinthechairtorest,whilehisheadandbrainandhandswentonworkingindependently.Asaucerofshelledfilbertsstoodnearhiselbow,andfromtimetotimehepickeduponeoftheseinagreatthumbandforefingerandputitbetweenhisteeth.
“I’veseenthepicturecalled’TheToilers,’”continuedShelgrim,“andofthetwo,Ilikethepicturebetterthanthepoem.”
“Thepictureisbyamaster,”Presleyhastenedtointerpose.
“Andforthatreason,”saidShelgrim,“itleavesnothingmoretobesaid.Youmightjustaswellhavekeptquiet.There’sonlyonebestwaytosayanything.Andwhathasmadethepictureof’TheToilers’greatisthattheartistsaidinittheBESTthatcouldbesaidonthesubject.”
“Ihadneverlookedatitinjustthatlight,”observedPresley.Hewasconfused,allatsea,embarrassed.WhathehadexpectedtofindinShelgrim,hecouldnothaveexactlysaid.Buthehadbeenpreparedtocomeuponanogre,abrute,aterriblemanofbloodandiron,andinsteadhaddiscoveredasentimentalistandanartcritic.
