Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Othershurriedacrossthefloorsinglyorbytwosandthrees,gingerlycarryingoverflowingglassestotheir“partners,”sittinginlongrowsofwhiteandblueandpinkagainsttheoppositewall,theirmothersandoldersistersinaseconddark-clothedrankbehindthem.Ababeloftalkwasintheair,mingledwithgustsoflaughter.Everybodyseemedhavingagoodtime.IntheincreasingheatthedecorationsofevergreentreesandfestoonsthrewoffapungentaromathatsuggestedaSunday-schoolChristmasfestival.Intheotherstalls,lowerdownthebarn,theyoungmenhadbroughtchairs,andinthesedeeprecessesthemostdesperatelove-makingwasinprogress,theyoungman,hishairneatlyparted,leaningwithgreatsolicitationoverthegirl,his“partner”forthemoment,fanningherconscientiously,hisarmcarefullylaidalongthebackofherchair.

           Bythedoorway,AnnixtermetSarria,whohadsteppedouttosmokeafat,blackcigar.Thesetsmileofamiabilitywasstillfixedonthepriest’ssmooth,shinyface;thecigarasheshadleftgreystreaksonthefrontofhiscassock.HeavoidedAnnixter,fearing,nodoubt,anallusiontohisgamecocks,andtookuphispositionbackofthesecondrankofchairsbythemusicians’stand,beamingencouraginglyuponeveryonewhocaughthiseye.

           Annixterwassalutedrightandleftasheslowlywenttheroundofthefloor.Ateverymomenthehadtopausetoshakehandsandtolistentocongratulationsuponthesizeofhisbarnandthesuccessofhisdance.