Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Theyhadcomefifteenmilesbythetrailfromthefardistantdivisionhouseon“Four”ofLosMuertosandhadriddenonhorsebackinsteadofdriving.Mrs.Cuttercouldbehearddeclaringthatshewasnearlydeadandfeltmorelikegoingtobedthandancing.Thetwogirlcousins,indressesofdottedSwissoverbluesateen,weredoingtheirutmosttopacifyher.Shecouldbeheardprotestingfrommomenttomoment.Onedistinguishedthephrases“straighttomybed,”“backnearlybrokenintwo,”“neverwantedtocomeinthefirstplace.”Thedruggist,observingCuttertakeapairofglovesfromMrs.Cutter’sreticule,drewhishandsfromhispockets.

           Butabruptlytherewasaninterruption.Inthemusicians’cornerascufflebrokeout.Achairwasoverturned.Therewasanoiseofimprecationsmingledwithshoutsofderision.Skeezicks,theFrenchman,hadturneduponthejoshers.

           “Ah,no,”hewasheardtoexclaim,“attheendoftheenditistoomuch.Kindofabadcanary—wewillgotoseeaboutthat.Aha,lethimcloseuphisfacebeforeIdemolishitwithagoodstrokeofthefist.”

           Themenwhowerelightingthelanternswereobligedtointervenebeforehecouldbeplacated.

           Hoovenandhiswifeanddaughtersarrived.MinnawascarryinglittleHilda,alreadyasleep,inherarms.Minnalookedverypretty,strikingeven,withherblackhair,paleface,veryredlipsandgreenish-blueeyes.ShewasdressedinwhathadbeenMrs.Hooven’sweddinggown,acheapaffairof“farmer’ssatin.”Mrs.Hoovenhadpendentearringsofimitationjetinherears.