Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Theywereofahideouscrudityofdesignandcomposition,yetwerewroughtoutwithaninnocent,unquestioningsinceritythatwasnotwithoutitscharm.Eachpictureframedalikeingilt,boreitssuitableinscriptioninstaringblackletters.“Simon,TheCyrenean,HelpsJesustoCarryHisCross.”“SaintVeronicaWipestheFaceofJesus.”“JesusFallsfortheFourthTime,”andsoon.Half-wayupthelengthofthechurchthepewsbegan,coffin-likeboxesofblackenedoak,shiningfromyearsoffriction,eachwithitsdoor;whileoverthem,andbuiltoutfromthewall,wasthepulpit,withitstarnishedgiltsounding-boardaboveit,liketheraisedcoverofagreathat-box.Betweenthepews,intheaisle,theviolentvermilionofastripofingraincarpetassaultedtheeye.Fartheronwerethestepstothealtar,thechancelrailofworm-riddledoak,thehighaltar,withitsnaperyfromthebargaincountersofaSanFranciscostore,themassivesilvercandlesticks,eachasmuchasonemancouldlift,thegiftofadeadSpanishqueen,and,last,thepicturesofthechancel,theVirgininaglory,aChristinagonyonthecross,andSt.JohntheBaptist,thepatronsaintoftheMission,theSanJuanBautista,oftheearlydays,agauntgreyfigure,inskins,twofingersupraisedinthegestureofbenediction.

           Theairoftheplacewascoolanddamp,andheavywiththeflat,sweetscentofstaleincensesmoke.Itwasofavault-likestillness,andtheclosingofthedoorbehindVanameereechoedfromcornertocornerwithaprolongedreverberationofthunder.

           However,FatherSarriawasnotinthechurch.