Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter VI
TherewasayoungladyinUkiah—thatwaswhenIwasaladofseventeen.Weusedtomeetinthecemeteryintheafternoons.IwastogoawaytoschoolatSacramento,andtheafternoonIleftwemetinthecemeteryandwestayedsolongIalmostmissedthetrain.HernamewasCelestine.”
Therewasapause.Theotherswaitedfortherestofthestory.
“Andafterwards?”promptedAnnixter.
“Afterwards?Nothingafterwards.Ineversawheragain.HernamewasCelestine.”
Thecompanyraisedachorusofderision,andOstermancriedironically:
“Say!THAT’Saprettygoodone!Tellusanother.”
Theoldmanlaughedwiththerest,believinghehadmadeanotherhit.HecalledOstermantohim,whisperinginhisear:
“Sh!Lookhere!SomenightyouandIwillgouptoSanFrancisco—hey?We’llgoskylarking.We’llbegay.Oh,I’ma—a—arareoldBUCK,Iam!Iain’ttooold.You’llsee.”
AnnixtergaveoverthemakingofthefifthbowlofpunchtoOsterman,whoaffirmedthathehadarecipefora“fertiliser”fromSolotarithatwouldtaketheplatingofftheladle.HelefthimwranglingwithCaraher,whostillpersistedinaddingchartreuse,andsteppedoutintothedancetoseehowthingsweregettingon.
Itwastheintervalbetweentwodances.Inandaroundastallatthefartherendofthefloor,wherelemonadewasbeingserved,wasagreatthrongofyoungmen.