Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter VI
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Dyke,thoughhismotherprotestedthathewasfoolishandthatPresleyandVanameehadnogreatinterestin“youngones,”insisteduponshowingthevisitorsSidney’scopy-books.Theyweremonumentsoflaborious,elaborateneatness,thetritemoralitiesandready-madeaphorismsofthephilanthropistsandpublicists,repeatedfrompagetopagewithwearyinginsistence.“I,too,amanAmericanCitizen.S.D.,”“AstheTwigisBenttheTreeisInclined,”“TruthCrushedtoEarthWillRiseAgain,”“AsforMe,GiveMeLibertyorGiveMeDeath,”andlastofall,astrangeintrusionamongstthemild,well-wornphrases,twolegends.“Mymotto—PublicControlofPublicFranchises,”and“TheP.andS.W.isanEnemyoftheState.”
“Isee,”commentedPresley,“youmeanthelittletadtounderstand’thesituation’early.”
“ItoldhimhewasfoolishtogivethattoSidtocopy,”saidMrs.Dyke,withindulgentremonstrance.“Whatcansheunderstandofpublicfranchises?”
“Nevermind,”observedDyke,“she’llrememberitwhenshegrowsupandwhentheseminarypeoplehaverubbedherupabit,andthenshe’llbegintoaskquestionsandunderstand.Anddon’tyoumakeanymistake,mother,”hewenton,“aboutthelittletadnotknowingwhoherdad’senemiesare.Whatdoyouthink,boys?Listen,here.PreciouslittleI’veevertoldheroftherailroadorhowIwasturnedoff,buttheotherdayIwasworkingdownbythefencenexttherailroadtracksandSidwasthere.She’dbroughtherdollragsdownandshewasplayinghousebehindapileofhoppoles.
