Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           HehadtoldherofOsterman’sschemeofafraudulentelectiontoseataBoardofRailroadCommissioners,whoshouldbenomineesofthefarminginterests.Magnusandhiswifehadtalkedthismatteroverandoveragain;andthesamediscussion,begunimmediatelyaftersuppertheeveningbefore,hadlastedtillfarintothenight.

           Atonce,AnnieDerrickhadbeenseizedwithasuddenterrorlestMagnus,afterall,shouldallowhimselftobepersuaded;shouldyieldtothepressurethatwaseverydaygrowingstronger.Nonebetterthansheknewtheironintegrityofherhusband’scharacter.Nonebetterthansherememberedhowhisdearestambition,thatofpoliticalpreferment,hadbeenthwartedbyhisrefusaltotruckle,toconnive,tocompromisewithhisideasofright.Now,atlast,thereseemedtobeachange.Longcontinuedoppression,pettytyranny,injusticeandextortionhaddrivenhimtoexasperation.S.Behrman’sinsultsstillrankled.HeseemednearlyreadytocountenanceOsterman’sscheme.Theveryfactthathewaswillingtotalkofittohersooftenandatsuchgreatlength,wasproofpositivethatitoccupiedhismind.