Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VIII
“Don’tsleepso.I’mfrightenedt.”
Repeatedlysheshookher;repeatedlyshetriedtoraisetheinerteyelidswiththepointofherfinger.Buthermothernolongerstirred.Thegaunt,leanbody,withitsbonyfaceandsunkeneye-sockets,layback,proneupontheground,thefeetupturnedandshowingtheragged,wornsolesoftheshoes,theforeheadandgreyhairbeadedwithfog,thepoor,fadedbonnetawry,thepoor,fadeddresssoiledandtorn.Hildadrewclosetohermother,kissingherface,twiningherarmsaroundherneck.Foralongtime,shelaythatway,alternatelysobbingandsleeping.Then,afteralongtime,therewasastir.Shewokefromadozetofindapoliceofficerandtwoorthreeothermenbendingoverher.Someonecarriedalantern.Terrified,smittendumb,shewasunabletoanswerthequestionsputtoher.Thenawoman,evidentlyamistressofthehouseonthetopofthehill,arrivedandtookHildainherarmsandcriedoverher.
“I’lltakethelittlegirl,”shesaidtothepoliceofficer.
“Butthemother,canyousaveher?Isshetoofargone?”
“I’vesentforadoctor,”repliedtheother.
Justbeforetheladiesleftthetable,youngLambertraisedhisglassofMadeira.TurningtowardsthewifeoftheRailroadKing,hesaid:
“Mybestcomplimentsforadelightfuldinner.”
ThedoctorwhohadbeenbendingoverMrs.Hooven,rose.
“It’snouse,”hesaid;“shehasbeendeadsometime—exhaustionfromstarvation.”
