Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V
Ifthetariffwasexorbitant,hesawhisplansbroughttonaught,hismoneyjeopardised,thelittletad,Sidney,deprivedofhereducation.Hebegantoblamehimselfthathehadnotlongbeforedetermineddefinitelywhattherailroadwouldchargeformovinghishops.Hetoldhimselfhewasnotmuchofabusinessman;thathemanagedcarelessly.
“Twocents,”suddenlyannouncedtheclerkwithacertainsurlyindifference.
“Twocentsapound?”
“Yes,twocentsapound—that’sincar-loadlots,ofcourse.Iwon’tgiveyouthatrateonsmallerconsignments.”
“Yes,car-loadlots,ofcourse...twocents.Well,allright.”
Heturnedawaywithagreatsighofrelief.
“Hesuredidhavemescaredforaminute,”hesaidtoAnnixter,asthetwowentdowntothestreet,“fiddlingandfussingsolong.Twocentsisallright,though.Seemsfairtome.Thatfiddlingofhiswasallputon.Iknow’em,theserailroadheelers.HeknewIwasadischargedemployeefirstoff,andheplayedthegamejusttomakemeseemsmallbecauseIhadtoaskfavoursofhim.Idon’tsupposetheGeneralOfficetipsitsslaveesofftoactlikeswine,butthere’sthefeelingthroughthewholeherdofthem.’Yegottocometous.Weletyeliveonlysolongaswechoose,andwhatareyegoingtodoaboutit?Ifyedon’tlikeit,gitout.’”
AnnixterandtheengineerdescendedtothestreetandhadadrinkattheYosemitebar,andAnnixterwentintotheGeneralStorewhileDykeboughtalittlepairofredslippersforSidney.
