Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Youcan’tplayitanyotherway,and,pshaw!iftherightwinsoutintheend,that’sthemainthing.Wewantyouinthisthing,andwewantyoubad.You’vebeenchewingonthisaffairnowalongtime.Haveyoumadeupyourmind?Doyoucomein?Itellyouwhat,you’vegottolookatthesethingsinalargeway.You’vegottojudgebyresults.Well,now,whatdoyouthink?Doyoucomein?”

           Magnus’sglanceleftAnnixter’sface,andforaninstantsoughttheground.Hisfrownlowered,butnowitwasinperplexity,ratherthaninanger.Hismindwastroubled,harassedwithathousanddissensions.

           ButoneofMagnus’sstrongestinstincts,oneofhiskeenestdesires,wastobe,ifonlyforashorttime,themaster.Tocontrolmenhadeverbeenhisambition;submissionofanykind,hisgreatesthorror.Hisenergystirredwithinhim,goadedbythelashofhisanger,hissenseofindignity,ofinsult.Ohforonemomenttobeabletostrikeback,tocrushhisenemy,todefeattherailroad,holdtheCorporationinthegripofhisfist,putdownS.Behrman,rehabilitatehimself,regainhisself-respect.Tobeoncemorepowerful,tocommand,todominate.Histhinlipspressedthemselvestogether;thenostrilsofhisprominenthawk-likenosedilated,hiserect,commandingfigurestiffenedunconsciously.Foramoment,hesawhimselfcontrollingthesituation,theforemostfigureinhisState,feared,respected,thousandsofmenbeneathhim,hisambitionatlengthgratified;hiscareer,onceapparentlybroughttonaught,completed;successapalpableachievement.