Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Annixter—how,hecouldnottell—hadbecomepossessedoftheideathatHilmawouldnotinformherparentsofwhathadpassedbetweenthemthepreviouseveningundertheLongTrestle.Hehadnoideathatmatterswereatanendbetweenhimselfandtheyoungwoman.Hemustapologise,hesawthatclearlyenough,musteatcrow,ashetoldhimself.Well,hewouldeatcrow.Hewasnotafraidofheranylonger,nowthatshehadmadeherconfessiontohim.Hewouldseeherassoonaspossibleandgetthisbusinessstraightenedout,andbeginagainfromanewstartingpoint.WhathewantedwithHilma,Annixterdidnotdefineclearlyinhismind.Atonetimehehadknownperfectlywellwhathewanted.Now,thegoalofhisdesireshadbecomevague.Hecouldnotsayexactlywhatitwas.Hepreferredthatthingsshouldgoforwardwithoutmuchideaofconsequences;ifconsequencescame,theywoulddosonaturallyenough,andofthemselves;allthathepositivelyknewwasthatHilmaoccupiedhisthoughtsmorning,noon,andnight;thathewashappywhenhewaswithher,andmiserablewhenawayfromher.

           TheChinesecookservedhissupperinsilence.Annixterateanddrankandlightedacigar,andafterhismealsatontheporchofhishouse,smokingandenjoyingthetwilight.Theeveningwasbeautiful,warm,theskyonepowderofstars.FromthedirectionofthestablesheheardoneofthePortuguesehandspickingaguitar.

           ButhewantedtoseeHilma.Theideaofgoingtobedwithoutatleastaglimpseofherbecamedistastefultohim.