Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           ”

           “He’sthemanthatdoesuseverytime,”criedHarran.“Ifthereisdirtyworktobedoneinwhichtherailroaddoesn’twishtoappear,itisS.Behrmanwhodoesit.Ifthefreightratesaretobe’adjusted’tosqueezeusalittleharder,itisS.Behrmanwhoregulateswhatwecanstand.Ifthere’sajudgetobebought,itisS.Behrmanwhodoesthebargaining.Ifthereisajurytobebribed,itisS.Behrmanwhohandlesthemoney.Ifthereisanelectiontobejobbed,itisS.Behrmanwhomanipulatesit.It’sBehrmanhereandBehrmanthere.ItisBehrmanwecomeagainsteverytimewemakeamove.ItisBehrmanwhohasthegripofusandwillneverletgotillhehassqueezedusbonedry.Why,whenIthinkofitallsometimesIwonderIkeepmyhandsofftheman.”

           Ostermangotonhisfeet;leaningacrossthetable,gesturingwildlywithhisrighthand,hisserio-comicface,withitsbaldforeheadandstiff,redears,wasinflamedwithexcitement.Hetookthefloor,creatinganimpression,attractingallattentiontohimself,playingtothegallery,gesticulating,clamourous,fullofnoise.

           “Well,nowisyourchancetogeteven,”hevociferated.“Itisnowornever.YoucantakeitandsavethesituationforyourselvesandallCaliforniaoryoucanleaveitandrotonyourownranches.Buck,Iknowyou.Iknowyou’renotafraidofanythingthatwearsskin.Iknowyou’vegotsandallthroughyou,andIknowifIshowedyouhowwecouldputourdealthroughandseataCommissionofourown,youwouldn’thangback.Governor,you’reabraveman.