Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           But,asyet,hewasnotabsolutelysure.Supposehehadbeenmistakeninher;supposesheshouldconsiderherselfinsultedandfreezehimwithanicystare.Annixterwincedattheverythoughtofit.Betterletthewholebusinessgo,andgettowork.Hewaswastinghalfthemorning.Yet,ifsheDIDwanttogivehimtheopportunityofkissingher,andhefailedtotakeadvantageofit,whataninnyshewouldthinkhim;shewoulddespisehimforbeingafraid.Heafraid!He,Annixter,afraidofafool,feemalegirl.Why,heowedittohimselfasamantogoasfarashecould.HetoldhimselfthatthatgoatOstermanwouldhavekissedHilmaTreeweeksago.Totesthisstateofmind,heimaginedhimselfashavingdecidedtokissher,afterall,andatoncewassurprisedtoexperienceapoignantqualmofexcitement,hisheartbeatingheavily,hisbreathcomingshort.Atthesametime,hiscourageremainedwithhim.Hewasnotafraidtotry.Hefeltagreaterrespectforhimselfbecauseofthis.Hisself-assurancehardenedwithinhim,andasHilmaturnedtohim,askinghimtotasteacutfromoneoftheripecheeses,hesuddenlysteppedclosetoher,throwinganarmabouthershoulders,advancinghishead.

           Butatthelastsecond,hebungled,hesitated;Hilmashrankfromhim,suppleasayoungreed;Annixterclutchedharshlyatherarm,andtrodhisfullweightupononeofherslenderfeet,hischeekandchinbarelytouchingthedelicatepinklobeofoneofherears,hislipsbrushingmerelyafoldofhershirtwaistbetweenneckandshoulder.