Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
Iwantyoushouldhaveahomethat’smyhome,too.Iwanttotakecareofyou,andhaveyouallformyself,youunderstand.Whatdoyousay?”
Hilma,standingupbeforehim,retiedaknotinherhandkerchiefbundlewithelaborateprecaution,blinkingatitthroughhertears.
“Whatdoyousay,MissHilma?”Annixterrepeated.“Howaboutthat?Whatdoyousay?”
Justaboveawhisper,Hilmamurmured:
“I—Idon’tknow.”
“Don’tknowwhat?Don’tyouthinkwecouldhititofftogether?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Iknowwecould,Hilma.Idon’tmeantoscareyou.Whatareyoucryingfor?”“Idon’tknow.”
Annixtergotup,castawayhiscigar,anddroppingthebuckskin’sbridle,cameandstoodbesideher,puttingahandonhershoulder.Hilmadidnotmove,andhefelthertrembling.Shestillpluckedattheknotofthehandkerchief.“Ican’tdowithoutyou,littlegirl,”Annixtercontinued,“andIwantyou.Iwantyoubad.Idon’tgetmuchfunoutoflifeever.It,sure,isn’tmynature,Iguess.I’mahardman.Everybodyistryingtodownme,andnowI’mupagainsttheRailroad.I’mfighting’emall,Hilma,nightandday,lock,stock,andbarrel,andI’mfightingnowformyhome,myland,everythingIhaveintheworld.IfIwinout,Iwantsomebodytobegladwithme.IfIdon’t—Iwantsomebodytobesorryforme,sorrywithme,—andthatsomebodyisyou.Iamdog-tiredofgoingitalone.Iwantsomeonetobackmeup.Iwanttofeelyoualongsideofme,togivemeatouchoftheshouldernowandthen.I’mtiredoffightingforTHINGS—land,property,money.
