Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Thoughtful,heleanedbackinhisplace,strokingthebridgeofhisbeak-likenosewithacrookedforefinger.

           CedarquistturnedtoHarranandbeganaskingdetailsastotheconditionsofthewheatgrowersoftheSanJoaquin.Lymanstillmaintainedanattitudeofpolitealoofness,yawningoccasionallybehindthreefingers,andPresleywaslefttothecompanyofhisownthoughts.

           Therehadbeenadaywhentheaffairsandgrievancesofthefarmersofhisacquaintance—Magnus,Annixter,Osterman,andoldBroderson—hadfilledhimonlywithdisgust.Hismindfullofagreat,vagueepicpoemoftheWest,hehadkepthimselfapart,disdainfulofwhathechosetoconsidertheirpettysquabbles.ButthesceneinAnnixter’sharnessroomhadthrilledandupliftedhim.Hewaspalpitatingwithexcitementallthroughthesucceedingmonths.Heabandonedtheideaofanepicpoem.Insixmonthshehadnotwrittenasingleverse.DayafterdayhetrembledwithexcitementastherelationsbetweentheTrustandLeaguebecamemoreandmorestrained.Hesawthematterinitstruelight.Itwastypical.Itwastheworld-oldwarbetweenFreedomandTyranny,andattimeshishatredoftherailroadshookhimlikeacrispandwitheredreed,whilethelanguidindifferenceofthepeopleoftheStatetothequarrelfilledhimwithablindexasperation.

           But,ashehadonceexplainedtoVanamee,hemustfindexpression.Hefeltthathewouldsuffocateotherwise.Hehadbeguntokeepajournal.Astheinclinationspurredhim,hewrotedownhisthoughtsandideasinthis,sometimeseveryday,sometimesonlythreeorfourtimesamonth.