Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter III
Heputasackoverhisheadandshoulders,persistentlydecliningMagnus’sofferedumbrellaandrubbercoat,andhurriedaway,remarkingthathehadnoforemanonhisranchandhadtobeupandaboutatfivethenextmorningtoputhismentowork.
“Fool!”mutteredAnnixterwhentheoldmanhadgone.“Imaginefarmingaranchthesizeofhiswithoutaforeman.”
HarranshowedOstermanandAnnixterwheretheyweretosleep,inadjoiningrooms.Magnussoonafterwardretired.
Ostermanfoundanexcuseforgoingtobed,butAnnixterandHarranremainedinthelatter’sroom,inahazeofbluetobaccosmoke,talking,talking.Butatlength,attheendofallargument,Annixtergotup,remarking:
“Well,I’mgoingtoturnin.It’snearlytwoo’clock.”
Hewenttohisroom,closingthedoor,andHarran,openinghiswindowtoclearoutthetobaccosmoke,lookedoutforamomentacrossthecountrytowardthesouth.
Thedarknesswasprofound,impenetrable;therainfellwithanuninterruptedroar.Nearathandonecouldhearthesoundofdrippingeavesandfoliageandtheeager,suckingsoundofthedrinkingearth,andabruptlywhileHarranstoodlookingout,onehandupontheupraisedsash,agreatpuffoftheoutsideairinvadedtheroom,odourouswiththereekofthesoakingearth,redolentwithfertility,pungent,heavy,tepid.Heclosedthewindowagainandsatforafewmomentsontheedgeofthebed,oneshoeinhishand,thoughtfulandabsorbed,wonderingifhisfatherwouldinvolvehimselfinthisnewscheme,wonderingif,afterall,hewantedhimto.
