Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Behrmanemphasisedeachwordofhisreplywithatapofoneforefingeronthecounterbeforehim:

           “All—the—traffic—will—bear.”

           Theex-engineersteppedbackapace,hisfingersontheledgeofthecounter,tosteadyhimself.Hefelthimselfgrowpale,hisheartbecameamereleadenweightinhischest,inert,refusingtobeat.

           Inasecondthewholeaffair,inallitsbearings,wentspeedingbeforetheeyeofhisimaginationliketherapidunrollingofapanorama.Everycentofhisearningswassunkinthishopbusinessofhis.Morethanthat,hehadborrowedmoneytocarryiton,certainofsuccess—borrowedofS.Behrman,offeringhiscropandhislittlehomeassecurity.Oncehefailedtomeethisobligations,S.Behrmanwouldforeclose.NotonlywouldtheRailroaddevoureverymorselofhisprofits,butalsoitwouldtakefromhimhishome;atablowhewouldbeleftpennilessandwithoutahome.Whatwouldthenbecomeofhismother—andwhatwouldbecomeofthelittletad?She,whomhehadbeenplanningtoeducatelikeaveritablelady.Forallthatyearhehadtalkedofhisambitionforhislittledaughtertoeveryonehemet.AllBonnevilleknewofit.Whatamarkforgibeshehadmadeofhimself.Theworkingmanturnedfarmer!Whatatargetforjeers—hewhohadfanciedhecouldeludetheRailroad!HerememberedhehadoncesaidthegreatTrusthadoverlookedhislittleenterprise,disdainingtoplundersuchsmallfry.Heshouldhaveknownbetterthanthat.