Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Fromallaround,theheavypenetratingsmellofthenew-turnedearthexhaledsteadilyintothedarkness.Afterawhile,whenthemooncameup,hecouldseethevastbrownbreastoftheearthturntowardit.Faroff,distantobjectscameintoview:ThegiantoaktreeatHooven’sranchhouseneartheirrigatingditchonLosMuertos,theskeleton-liketowerofthewindmillonAnnixter’sHomeranch,theclumpofwillowsalongBrodersonCreekclosetotheLongTrestle,and,lastofall,thevenerabletoweroftheMissionofSanJuanonthehighgroundbeyondthecreek.

           Thitherward,likehomingpigeons,Vanamee’sthoughtsturnedirresistibly.Neartothattower,justbeyond,inthelittlehollow,hiddennowfromhissight,wastheSeedranchwhereAngeleVarianhadlived.Straininghiseyes,peeringacrosstheinterveninglevels,Vanameefanciedhecouldalmostseethelineofvenerablepeartreesinwhoseshadowshehadbeenaccustomedtowaitforhim.Onmanysuchanightasthishehadcrossedtheranchestofindherthere.Hismindwentbacktothatwonderfultimeofhislifesixteenyearsbeforethis,whenAngelewasalive,whentheytwowereinvolvedinthesweetintricaciesofalovesofine,sopure,somarvellousthatitseemedtothemamiracle,amanifestation,athingveritablydivine,putintothelifeofthemandtheheartsofthembyGodHimself.Tothattheyhadbeenborn.