Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Bewildered,besidehimselfwithtrepidation,hehurriedabouttheroom,jostledbythedancingcouples,trippingoverthefeetofthosewhowereseated;hepeereddistressfullyunderthechairsandaboutthefloor,askinganxiousquestions.

           MagnusDerrick,thecentreofalisteningcircleofranchers—GarnettfromtheRubyrancho,Keastfromtheranchofthesamename,GethingsandChatternoftheSanPabloandBonanza—stoodnearthegreatopendoorwayofthebarn,discussingthepossibilityofashortageintheworld’swheatcropforthenextyear.

           Abruptlytheorchestraceasedplayingwitharollofthesnaredrum,aflourishofthecornetandaprolongedgrowlofthebassviol.Thedancebrokeup,thecoupleshurryingtotheirseats,leavingthegaylyapparelledclerksuddenlyisolatedinthemiddleofthefloor,rollinghiseyes.ThedruggistreleasedtheSpanish-Mexicangirlwithmechanicalprecisionoutamidstthecrowdofdancers.Hebowed,droppinghischinuponhiscravat;throughoutthedanceneitherhadhazardedaword.Thegirlfoundherwayalonetoachair,butthedruggist,sickfromcontinuallyrevolvinginthesamedirection,walkedunsteadilytowardthewall.Allatoncethebarnreeledaroundhim;hefelldown.Therewasagreatlaugh,buthescrambledtohisfeetanddisappearedabruptlyoutintothenightthroughthedoorwayofthebarn,deathlypale,hishanduponhisstomach.