Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
Thebusterhadastringofhorseshewasshippingsouthward.NodoubthehadcometomakearrangementswiththeRailroadinthematterofstockcars.Theconferenceofthefourmenwasamicableintheextreme.
Dyke,studyingthefiguresonthebackoftheenvelope,cameforwardagain.Absorbedonlyinhisowndistress,heignoredtheeditorandthecow-puncher.
“Say,”hehazarded,“howaboutthis?Imakeout——
“We’vetoldyouwhatourratesare,Mr.Dyke,”exclaimedtheclerkangrily.“That’sallthearrangementwewillmake.Takeitorleaveit.”HeturnedagaintoGenslinger,givingtheex-engineerhisback.
Dykemovedawayandstoodforamomentinthecentreoftheroom,staringatthefiguresontheenvelope.
“Idon’tsee,”hemuttered,“justwhatI’mgoingtodo.No,Idon’tseewhatI’mgoingtodoatall.”
Rugglescamein,bringingwithhimtwoothermeninwhomDykerecogniseddummybuyersoftheLosMuertosandOstermanranchos.Theybrushedbyhim,jostlinghiselbow,andashewentoutofthedoorheheardthemexchangejovialgreetingswithDelaney,Genslinger,andS.Behrman.
DykewentdownthestairstothestreetandproceededonwardaimlesslyinthedirectionoftheYosemiteHouse,fingeringtheyellowenvelopeandlookingvacantlyatthesidewalk.
Therewasastooptohismassiveshoulders.Hisgreatarmsdangledlooselyathissides,thepalmsofhishandsopen.
Ashewentalong,acertainfeelingofshametouchedhim.Surelyhispredicamentmustbeapparenttoeverypasser-by.Nodoubt,everyonerecognisedtheunsuccessfulmanintheverywayheslouchedalong.
