Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Inallhiscircleofacquaintances,PresleywastheonemanwithwhomAnnixterhadneverquarrelled.Thetwomenwerediametricallyopposedintemperament.Presleywaseasy-going;Annixter,alert.Presleywasaconfirmeddreamer,irresolute,inactive,withastrongtendencytomelancholy;theyoungfarmerwasamanofaffairs,decisive,combative,whoseonlyreflectionuponhisinterioreconomywasamorbidconcerninthevagariesofhisstomach.Yetthetwonevermetwithoutamutualpleasure,takingagenuineinterestineachother’saffairs,andoftenputtingthemselvestogreatinconveniencetobeoftriflingservicetohelponeanother.

           Asalastcharacteristic,Annixterpretendedtobeawoman-hater,fornootherreasonthanthathewasaverybull-calfofawkwardnessinfemininesurroundings.Feemales!Rot!Therewasafinewayforamantowastehistimeandhisgoodmoney,lallygaggingwithalotoffeemales.No,thankyou;noneofitinHIS,ifyouplease.Onceonlyhehadanaffair—atimid,littlecreatureinaglove-cleaningestablishmentinSacramento,whomhehadpickedup,Heavenknewhow.Afterhisreturntohisranch,acorrespondencehadbeenmaintainedbetweenthetwo,Annixtertakingtheprecautiontotypewritehisletters,andneveraffixinghissignature,inanexcessofprudence.Hefurthermoremadecarboncopiesofallhisletters,filingthemawayinacompartmentofhissafe.Ah,itwouldbeacleverfeemalewhowouldgethimintoamess.