Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter VI
Afarmwagondroveuploadedtooverflowingwithevergreensandwithgreatbundlesofpalmleaves,andthesewereimmediatelyseizeduponandaffixedassupplementarydecorationstothetri-colouredcambricupontheinsidewallsofthebarn.Twoofthelargerevergreentreeswereplacedoneithersidethebarndoorandtheirtopsbentovertoformanarch.Inthemiddleofthisarchitwasproposedtohangamammothpasteboardescutcheonwithgoldletters,spellingthewordWELCOME.Pilesofchairs,rentedfromI.O.O.F.hallinBonneville,heapedthemselvesinanapparentlyhopelessentanglementontheground;whileatthefarextremityofthebarnacoupleofcarpentersclatteredabouttheimpromptustagingwhichwastoaccommodatetheband.
Therewasastrenuousgayetyintheair;everybodywasinthebestofspirits.Notesoflaughtercontinuallyinterruptedtheconversationoneveryhand.Ateverymomentagroupofmeninvolvedthemselvesinuproarioushorse-play.Theypassedobliquejokesbehindtheirhandstoeachother—grosslyveileddouble-meaningsmeantforthewomen—andbellowedwithlaughterthereat,stampingontheground.Therelationsbetweenthesexesgrewmoreintimate,thewomenandgirlspushingtheyoungfellowsawayfromtheirsideswithvigorousthrustsoftheirelbows.ItwaspassedfromgrouptogroupthatAdelaVacca,adivisionsuperintendent’swife,hadlosthergarter;thedaughteroftheforemanoftheHomeranchwaskissedbehindthedoorofthedairy-house.
Annixter,inexecrabletemper,appearedfromtimetotime,hatless,hisstiffyellowhairinwilddisorder.
