Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Well,alongcomesathroughfreight—mixedtrainfromMissouripointsandastringofemptiesfromNewOrleans,—andwhenithadpassed,whatdoyousupposethetaddid?SHEdidn’tknowIwaswatchingher.Shegoestothefenceandspitsalittlespitafterthecabooseandputsoutherlittleheadand,ifyou’llbelieveme,HISSESatthetrain;andmothersaysshedoesthatsameeverytimesheseesatraingoby,andnevercrossesthetracksthatshedon’tspitherlittlespiton’em.WhatdoyouTHINKofTHAT?”

           “ButIcorrecthereverytime,”protestedMrs.Dykeseriously.“WhereshepickedupthetrickofhissingIdon’tknow.No,it’snotfunny.Itseemsdreadfultoseealittlegirlwho’sassweetandgentleascanbeineveryotherway,sovenomous.Shesaystheotherlittlegirlsatschoolandtheboys,too,areallthesameway.Oh,dear,”shesighed,“whywilltheGeneralOfficebesounkindandunjust?Why,Icouldn’tbehappy,withallthemoneyintheworld,ifIthoughtthatevenonelittlechildhatedme—hatedmesothatitwouldspitandhissatme.Andit’snotonechild,it’sallofthem,soSidneysays;andthinkofallthegrownpeoplewhohatetheroad,womenandmen,thewholecounty,thewholeState,thousandsandthousandsofpeople.