Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VIII
“Say,say,den,bleasehellupaboorwomun.”
Oneofthewomenpaused,murmuringtohercompanion,andfromherpurseextractedayellowticketwhichshegavetoMrs.Hoovenwithvolubleexplanations.ButMrs.Hoovenwasconfused,shedidnotunderstand.Whatcouldtheticketmean?Thewomenwentontheirway.
Thenextpersontowhomsheappliedwasayounggirlofabouteighteen,veryprettilydressed.
“Say,say,den,bleasehellupaboorwomun.”
Inevidentembarrassment,theyounggirlpausedandsearchedinherlittlepocketbook.“IthinkIhave—Ithink—Ihavejusttencentsheresomewhere,”shemurmuredagainandagain.
Intheend,shefoundadime,anddroppeditintoMrs.Hooven’spalm.
Thatwasthebeginning.Thefirststeponcetaken,theothersbecameeasy.Alldaylong,Mrs.HoovenandHildafollowedthestreets,begging,begging.Hereitwasanickel,thereadime,hereanickelagain.Butshewasnotexpertintheart,nordidsheknowwheretobuyfoodthecheapest;andtheentireday’sworkresultedonlyinbarelyenoughfortwomealsofbread,milk,andawretchedlycookedstew.Tuesdaynightfoundthepaironcemoreshelterless.
Oncemore,Mrs.Hoovenandherbabypassedthenightontheparkbenches.ButearlyonWednesdaymorning,Mrs.Hoovenfoundherselfassailedbysharppainsandcrampsinherstomach.Whatwasthecauseshecouldnotsay;butasthedaywenton,thepainsincreased,alternatingwithhotflushesoverallherbody,andacertainweaknessandfaintness.Asthedaywenton,thepainandtheweaknessincreased.
