Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V
MagnusandHarranDerrickhadnotyetbeenabletomakeupthetimelostatthebeginningoftheseason,whentheyhadwaitedsolongfortheploughstoarrive.Theyhadbeenbehindhandallthetime.OnAnnixter’sranch,thelandhadnotonlybeenharrowed,aswellasseeded,butinsomecases,cross-harrowedaswell.Thelabourofputtinginthevastcropwasover.Nowtherewasnothingtodobutwait,whiletheseedsilentlygerminated;nothingtodobutwatchforthewheattocomeup.
WhenAnnixterreachedtheranchhouseofLosMuertos,undertheshadeofthecypressandeucalyptustrees,hefoundMrs.Derrickontheporch,seatedinalongwickerchair.Shehadbeenwashingherhair,andthelightbrownlocksthatyetretainedsomuchoftheirbrightness,werecarefullyspreadinthesunoverthebackofherchair.Annixtercouldnotbutremarkthat,spiteofhermorethanfiftyyears,AnnieDerrickwasyetratherpretty.Hereyeswerestillthoseofayounggirl,justtouchedwithanuncertainexpressionofinnocenceandinquiry,butasherglancefelluponhim,hefoundthatthatexpressionchangedtooneofuneasiness,ofdistrust,almostofaversion.
Thenightbeforethis,afterMagnusandhiswifehadgonetobed,theyhadlainawakeforhours,staringupintothedark,talking,talking.Magnushadnotlongbeenabletokeepfromhiswifethenewsofthecoalitionthatwasformingagainsttherailroad,northefactthatthiscoalitionwasdeterminedtogainitsendsbyanymeansatitscommand.
