Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Gaspingoutanapology,Annixterreenteredtheharnessroom,closingthedoorbehindhim,andforgettingalltheresponsibilityofthemoment,litacigarandsatdowninoneofthehiredchairs,hishandsinhispockets,hisfeetonthetable,frowningthoughtfullythroughthebluesmoke.

           AnnixterwasatlastdriventoconfesstohimselfthathecouldnotgetthethoughtofHilmaTreeoutofhismind.Finallyshehad“gotaholdonhim.”Thethingthatofallothershemostdreadedhadhappened.Afeemalegirlhadgotaholdonhim,andnowtherewasnolongerforhimanysuchthingaspeaceofmind.Theideaoftheyoungwomanwaswithhimcontinually.Hewenttobedwithit;hegotupwithit.Ateverymomentofthedayhewaspesteredwithit.Itinterferedwithhiswork,gotmixedupinhisbusiness.Whatamiserableconfessionforamantomake;afinewaytowastehistime.WasitpossiblethatonlytheotherdayhehadstoodinfrontofthemusicstoreinBonnevilleandseriouslyconsideredmakingHilmaapresentofamusic-box?Evennow,theverythoughtofitmadehimflushwithshame,andthisaftershehadtoldhimplainlythatshedidnotlikehim.Hewasrunningafterher—he,Annixter!Herippedoutafuriousoath,strikingthetablewithhisbootheel.Againandagainhehadresolvedtoputthewholeaffairfromouthismind.Oncehehadbeenabletodoso,butoflateitwasbecomingharderandharderwitheverysuccessiveday.