Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           TheRussianCountessgavetalksontheprisonsofSiberia,wearingtheheaddressandpinchbeckornamentsofaSlavbride;theAesthete,inhiswhitecassock,gavereadingsonobscurequestionsofartandethics.ThewidowofIndia,inthecostumeofhercaste,describedthesociallifeofherpeopleathome.Thebeardedpoet,perspiringinfursandbootsofreindeerskin,declaimedversesofhisowncompositionaboutthewildlifeoftheAlaskanminingcamps.TheJapaneseyouth,inthesilkrobesoftheSamuraitwo-swordednobles,readfromhisownworks—“Theflat-borderedearth,naileddownatnight,rustingunderthedarkness,”“Thebrave,uprightrainsthatcamedownlikeerrandsfromiron-bodiedyore-time.”TheChristianScientist,infunereal,impressiveblack,discussedthecontra-willandpan-psychichylozoism.TheuniversityprofessorputonafulldresssuitandlislethreadglovesatthreeintheafternoonandbeforeliteraryclubsandcirclesbellowedextractsfromGoetheandSchilerintheGerman,shakinghisfists,purplewithvehemence.TheCherokee,arrayedinfringedbuckskinandbluebeads,rentedfromacostumer,intonedfolksongsofhispeopleinthevernacular.Theelocutionistincheese-clothtogaandtinbracelets,rendered“TheIslesofGreece,whereburningSappholovedandsung.”TheChinaman,intherobesofamandarin,lecturedonConfucius.TheArmenian,infezandbaggytrousers,spokeoftheUnspeakableTurk.Themandolinplayer,dressedlikeabullfighter,heldmusicalconversaziones,interpretingthepeasantsongsofAndalusia.