Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           ”

           “Well,youcan’tgetwhatyouwantwithoutpayingforit,”contradictedAnnixter.

           BrodersonwasabouttospeakwhenOstermankickedhisfootunderthetable.He,himself,heldhispeace.HewasquicktoseethatifhecouldinvolveMagnusandAnnixterinanargument,Annixter,forthemereloveofcontention,wouldopposetheGovernorand,withoutknowingit,wouldcommithimselftohis—Osterman’s—scheme.

           Thiswaspreciselywhathappened.InafewmomentsAnnixterwasdeclaringattopvoicehisreadinesstomortgagethecropofQuienSabe,ifnecessary,forthesakeof“bustingS.Behrman.”HecouldseenogreatobstacleinthewayofcontrollingthenominatingconventionsofarassecuringthenamingoftwoRailroadCommissionerswasconcerned.Twowasalltheyneeded.ProbablyitWOULDcostmoney.Youdidn’tgetsomethingfornothing.Itwouldcostthemallagooddealmoreiftheysatlikelumpsonalogandplayedtiddledy-winkswhileShelgrimsoldoutfromunderthem.Thentherewasthis,too:theP.andS.W.werehardupjustthen.TheshortageontheState’swheatcropforthelasttwoyearshadaffectedthem,too.Theywereretrenchinginexpendituresallalongtheline.Hadn’ttheyjustcutwagesinalldepartments?TherewasthisaffairofDyke’stoproveit.Therailroaddidn’talwaysactasaunit,either.Therewasalwaysapartyinitthatopposedspendingtoomuchmoney.Hewouldbetthatpartywasstrongjustnow.HewaskindofsickhimselfofbeingkickedbyS.Behrman.