Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Annie,yourhusbandisadisappointedman.”

           “Givemeyourword,”sheinsisted.“Wecantalkaboutotherthingsafterward.”

           AgainMagnuswavered,abouttoyieldtohisbetterinstinctsandtotheentreatiesofhiswife.Hebegantoseehowperilouslyfarhehadgoneinthisbusiness.Hewasdriftingclosertoiteveryhour.Alreadyhewasentangled,alreadyhisfootwascaughtinthemeshthatwasbeingspun.Sharplyherecoiled.Againallhisinstinctsofhonestyrevolted.No,whateverhappened,hewouldpreservehisintegrity.Hiswifewasright.Alwaysshehadinfluencedhisbetterside.Atthatmoment,Magnus’srepugnanceoftheproposedpoliticalcampaignwasatitspitchofintensity.Hewonderedhowhehadeverallowedhimselftosomuchasentertaintheideaofjoiningwiththeothers.Now,hewouldwrenchfree,would,inasingleinstantofpower,clearhimselfofallcompromisingrelations.Heturnedtohiswife.Uponhislipstrembledthepromisesheimplored.Butsuddenlytherecametohismindtherecollectionofhisnew-madepledgetoAnnixter.Hehadgivenhiswordthatbeforearrivingatadecisionhewouldhavealastinterviewwithhim.ToMagnus,hisgivenwordwassacred.Thoughnowhewantedto,hecouldnotasyetdrawback,couldnotpromisehiswifethathewoulddecidetodoright.Themattermustbedelayedafewdayslonger.

           Lamely,heexplainedthistoher.AnnieDerrickmadebutlittleresponsewhenhehaddone.