Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Ihadthecommitteetoluncheontheotherdayandwepassedthemaround.WearegettingsubscriptionsfromallovertheState,andMr.Cedarquististoarrangefortheship.”

           TheReliefCommitteeinquestionwasoneofagreatnumberthathadbeenformedinCalifornia—andallovertheUnion,forthematterofthat—toprovidereliefforthevictimsofagreatfamineinCentralIndia.Thewholeworldhadbeenstruckwithhorroratthereportsofsufferingandmortalityintheaffecteddistricts,andhadhastenedtosendaid.CertainwomenofSanFrancisco,withMrs.Cedarquistattheirhead,hadorganisedanumberofcommittees,butthemanufacturer’swifeturnedthemeetingsofthesecommitteesintosocialaffairs—luncheons,teas,whereonediscussedthewaysandmeansofassistingthestarvingAsiaticsoverteacupsandplatesofsalad.

           Shortlyafterwardamildcommotionspreadthroughouttheassemblageoftheclub’sguests.Thedrawingofthenumbersintherafflewasabouttobemade.Hartrath,inaflurryofagitation,excusedhimself.CedarquisttookPresleybythearm.

           “Pres,let’sgetoutofthis,”hesaid.“ComeintothewineroomandIwillshakeyouforaglassofsherry.”

           Theyhadsomedifficultyinextricatingthemselves.Themainroomwherethedrawingwastotakeplacesuddenlybecamedenselythronged.Alltheguestspressedeagerlyaboutthetablenearthepicture,uponwhichoneofthehallboyshadjustplacedaballotboxcontainingthenumbers.Theladies,holdingtheirticketsintheirhands,pushedforward.Astaccatochatterofexcitedmurmursarose.