Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
Intheend,itwasstupidtobegrownup.
Sittinguponthebank,onefingertuckedintotheheelofhershoe,Hilmahesitated.Supposeatrainshouldcome!Shefanciedshecouldseetheengineerleaningfromthecabwithagreatgrinonhisface,orthebrakemanshoutinggibesatherfromtheplatform.Abruptlysheblushedscarlet.Thebloodthrobbedinhertemples.Herheartbeat.Sincethefamouseveningofthebarndance,Annixterhadspokentoherbuttwice.Hilmanolongerlookedaftertheranchhousethesedays.ThethoughtofsettingfootwithinAnnixter’sdining-roomandbed-roomterrifiedher,andintheendhermotherhadtakenoverthatpartofherwork.OfthetwomeetingswiththemasterofQuienSabe,onehadbeenamereexchangeofgoodmorningsasthetwohappenedtomeetoverbytheartesianwell;theother,morecomplicated,hadoccurredinthedairy-houseagain,Annixter,pretendingtolookoverthenewcheesepress,askingaboutdetailsofherwork.Whenthishadhappenedonthatpreviousoccasion,endingwithAnnixter’sattempttokissher,Hilmahadbeentalkativeenough,chatteringonfromonesubjecttoanother,neveratalossforatheme.Butthislasttimewasaveritableordeal.NosoonerhadAnnixterappearedthanherheartleapedandquiveredlikethatofthehound-harrieddoe.Herspeechfailedher.
