Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Ranchersfromremoterpartsofthecountryappeared:Garnett,fromtheRubyrancho,Keast,fromtheranchofthesamename,Gethings,oftheSanPablo,Chattern,oftheBonanza,andothersandstillothers,ascoreofthem—elderlymen,forthemostpart,bearded,slowofspeech,deliberate,dressedinbroadcloth.OldBroderson,whoenteredwithhiswifeonhisarm,fellinwiththistype,andwiththemcameacertainDabney,ofwhomnothingbuthisnamewasknown,asilentoldman,whomadenofriends,whomnobodykneworspoketo,whowasseenonlyuponsuchoccasionsasthis,comingfromnooneknewwhere,going,noonecaredtoinquirewhither.

           Betweeneightandhalf-past,MagnusDerrickandhisfamilywereseen.Magnus’sentrycausednolittleimpression.Somesaid:“There’stheGovernor,”andcalledtheircompanions’attentiontothethin,erectfigure,commanding,imposing,dominatingallinhisimmediateneighbourhood.Harrancamewithhim,wearingacut-awaysuitofblack.Hewasundeniablyhandsome,youngandfreshlooking,hischeekshighlycoloured,quitethefinestlookingofalltheyoungermen;blond,strong,withthatcertaincourtlinessofmannerthathadalwaysmadehimliked.HetookhismotheruponhisarmandconductedhertoaseatbythesideofMrs.Broderson.

           AnnieDerrickwasveryprettythatevening.Shewasdressedinagreysilkgownwithacollarofpinkvelvet.Herlightbrownhairthatyetretainedsomuchofitsbrightnesswastransfixedbyahigh,shellcomb,verySpanish.Butthelookofuneasinessinherlargeeyes—theeyesofayounggirl—wasdeepeningeveryday.