Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Theywerearrangedaroundthreesidesofthebarnandwereloadeddownwithcoldroastsofbeef,coldchickensandcoldducks,mountainsofsandwiches,pitchersofmilkandlemonade,entirecheeses,bowlsofolives,platesoforangesandnuts.Theadventofthissupperwasreceivedwithavolleyofapplause.Themusiciansplayedaquickstep.Thecompanythrewthemselvesuponthefoodwithagreatscrapingofchairsandavastrustleofmuslins,tarletans,andorgandies;soontheclatterofdisheswasaveritableuproar.Thetablesweretakenbyassault.Oneatewhateverwasnearestathand,someevenbeginningwithorangesandnutsandendingwithbeefandchicken.Attheendthepapercapswerebroughton,togetherwiththeicecream.Allupanddownthetablesthepulled“crackers”snappedcontinuallylikethedischargeofinnumerabletinyrifles.

           Thecapsoftissuepaperwereputon—“PhrygianBonnets,”“Magicians’Caps,”“LibertyCaps;”theyounggirlslookedacrossthetableattheirvis-a-viswithburstsoflaughterandvigorousclappingofthehands.

           Theharnessroomcrowdhadatabletothemselves,attheheadofwhichsatAnnixterandatthefootHarran.ThegunfighthadsoberedPresleythoroughly.HesatbythesideofVanamee,whoatebutlittle,preferringrathertowatchthescenewithcalmobservation,alittlecontemptuouswhentheuproararoundthetablewastooboisterous,savouringofintoxication.