Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Oneveryhandoneheardthescrapingofviolins,thetinklingofmandolins,thesuaveaccentsof“arttalks,”theincoherenciesofpoets,thedeclamationofelocutionists,theinarticulatewanderingsoftheJapanese,theconfusedmutteringsoftheCherokee,thegutturalbellowingoftheGermanuniversityprofessor,allinthenameoftheMillion-DollarFair.Moneytotheextentofhundredsofthousandswassetinmotion.

           Mrs.Cedarquistwasbusyfrommorninguntilnight.Oneafteranother,shewasintroducedtonewlyarrivedfakirs.Toeachpoet,toeachlitterateur,toeachprofessorsheaddressedthesamequestion:

           “Howlonghaveyouknownyouhadthispower?”

           Shespentherdaysinonequiverofexcitementandjubilation.Shewas“inthemovement.”ThepeopleofthecitywereawakeningtoaRealisationoftheBeautiful,toasenseofthehigherneedsoflife.ThiswasArt,thiswasLiterature,thiswasCultureandRefinement.TheRenaissancehadappearedintheWest.

           Shewasashort,ratherstout,red-faced,verymuchover-dressedlittlewomanofsomefiftyyears.Shewasrichinherownname,evenbeforehermarriage,beingarelativeofShelgrimhimselfandonfamiliartermswiththegreatfinancierandhisfamily.Herhusband,whiledeploringthepolicyoftherailroad,sawnogoodreasonforquarrellingwithShelgrim,andonmorethanoneoccasionhaddinedathishouse.Onthisoccasion,delightedthatshehadcomeupona“minorpoet,”sheinsisteduponpresentinghimtoHartrath.

           “Youtwoshouldhavesomuchincommon,”sheexplained.