Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter I
”
“Possiblyitistohisinterest,”murmuredPresley.“Thefairsandfestivalsbringpeopletothecityoverhisrailroad.”
Buttheothersturnedonhim,expostulating.
“Ah,youPhilistine,”declaredMrs.Cedarquist.“AndthisfromYOU!,Presley;toattributesuchbasemotives——”
“Ifthepoetsbecomematerialised,Mr.Presley,”declaredHartrath,“whatcanwesaytothepeople?”
“AndShelgrimencouragesyourmillion-dollarfairsandfetes,”saidavoiceatPresley’selbow,“becauseitisthrowingdustinthepeople’seyes.”
ThegroupturnedaboutandsawCedarquist,whohadcomeupunobservedintimetocatchthedriftofthetalk.Buthespokewithoutbitterness;therewasevenagood-humouredtwinkleinhiseyes.
“Yes,”hecontinued,smiling,“ourdearShelgrimpromotesyourfairs,notonlyasPressays,becauseitismoneyinhispocket,butbecauseitamusesthepeople,distractstheirattentionfromthedoingsofhisrailroad.WhenBeatricewasababyandhadlittlecolics,Iusedtojinglemykeysinfrontofhernose,andittookherattentionfromthepaininhertummy;soShelgrim.”
Theotherslaughedgood-humouredly,protesting,nevertheless,andMrs.Cedarquistshookherfingerinwarningattheartistandexclaimed:
“ThePhilistinesbeuponthee,Samson!”
“Bytheway,”observedHartrath,willingtochangethesubject,“IhearyouareontheFamineReliefCommittee.Doesyourworkprogress?”
“Oh,mostfamously,Iassureyou,”shesaid.“Suchamovementaswehavestarted.Thosepoorcreatures.Thephotographsofthemaresimplydreadful.
