Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Hewantedtogetaway,tobefreefromthatendlessmisery,sothathemightnotseewhathecouldnolongerhelp.Cowardlyhenowknewhimselftobe.Hethoughtofhimselfonlywithloathing.

           Bitterlyself-contemptuousthathecouldbringhimselftoaparticipationinsuchtrivialities,hebegantodresstokeephisengagementtodinewiththeCedarquists.

           Hearrivedatthehousenearlyhalfanhourlate,butbeforehecouldtakeoffhisovercoat,Mrs.Cedarquistappearedinthedoorwayofthedrawing-roomattheendofthehall.Shewasdressedasiftogoout.

           “MyDEARPresley,”sheexclaimed,herstout,over-dressedbodybustlingtowardhimwithagreatrustleofsilk.“Ineverwassoglad.Youpoor,dearpoet,youarethinasaghost.YouneedabetterdinnerthanIcangiveyou,andthatisjustwhatyouaretohave.”

           “HaveIblundered?”Presleyhastenedtoexclaim.“DidnotMr.CedarquistmentionFridayevening?”

           “No,no,no,”shecried;“itwashewhoblundered.YOUblunderinginasocialamenity!Preposterous!No;Mr.Cedarquistforgotthatwewerediningoutourselvesto-night,andwhenhetoldmehehadaskedyouhereforthesameevening,Ifellupontheman,mydear,Ididactually,toothandnail.ButIwouldn’thearofhiswiringyou.Ijustdroppedanotetoourhostess,askingifIcouldnotbringyou,andwhenItoldherwhoyouWERE,shereceivedtheideawith,oh,empressement.So,thereitis,allsettled.Cedarquistandthegirlsaregoneonahead,andyouaretotaketheoldladylikeadear,dearpoet.IbelieveIhearthecarriage.