Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Theslightestmovementofherheadandshoulderssentagentleundulationthroughallthisbeautyofsoftoutlinesandsmoothsurfaces,thedelicateambershadowsdeepeningorfadingorlosingthemselvesimperceptiblyintheprettyrose-colourofhercheeks,orthedark,warm-tintedshadowofherthickbrownhair.

           Herhairseemedalmosttohavealifeofitsown,almostMedusa-like,thick,glossyandmoist,lyinginheavy,sweet-smellingmassesoverherforehead,overhersmallearswiththeirpinklobes,andfardownuponhernape.Deepinbetweenthecoilsandbraidsitwasofabitumenbrownness,butinthesunlightitvibratedwithasheenliketarnishedgold.

           Likemostlargegirls,hermovementswerenothurried,andthisindefinitedeliberatenessofgesture,thisslowgrace,thiscertaineaseofattitude,wasacharmthatwasallherown.

           ButHilma’sgreatestcharmofallwashersimplicity—asimplicitythatwasnotonlyinthecalmregularityofherface,withitsstatuesqueevennessofcontour,itsbroadsurfaceofcheekandforeheadandthemassesofherstraightsmoothhair,butwasapparentaswellinthelonglineofhercarriage,fromherfoottoherwaistandthesingledeepswellfromherwaisttohershoulder.Almostunconsciouslyshedressedinharmonywiththisnoteofsimplicity,andonthisoccasionworeaskirtofplaindarkbluecalicoandawhiteshirtwaistcrispfromthelaundry.

           Andyet,forallthedignityofthisrigouroussimplicity,therewereaboutHilmasmallcontradictorysuggestionsoffemininedaintiness,charmingbeyondwords.