Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
Agreyhalf-light,mysterious,grave,floodeddownwardfromthestars.
Annixterwasintorment.Now,therecouldbenolongeranydoubt—nowitwasHilmaornothing.Onceoutofhisreach,oncelosttohim,andtherecollectionofherassailedhimwithunconquerablevehemence.Muchasshehadoccupiedhismind,hehadneverrealisedtillnowhowvasthadbeentheplaceshehadfilledinhislife.Hehadtoldherasmuch,buteventhenhedidnotbelieveit.
Suddenly,abitterrageagainsthimselfoverwhelmedhimashethoughtofthehurthehadgivenherthepreviousevening.Heshouldhavemanageddifferently.How,hedidnotknow,butthesenseoftheoutragehehadputuponherabruptlyrecoiledagainsthimwithcruelforce.Now,hewassorryforit,infinitelysorry,passionatelysorry.Hehadhurther.Hehadbroughtthetearstohereyes.Hehadsoflagrantlyinsultedherthatshecouldnolongerbeartobreathethesameairwithhim.Shehadtoldherparentsall.ShehadleftQuienSabe—hadlefthimforgood,attheverymomentwhenhebelievedhehadwonher.Brute,beastthathewas,hehaddrivenheraway.
Anhourwentby;thentwo,thenfour,thensix.Annixterstillsatinhisplace,gropingandbattlinginaconfusionofspirit,thelikeofwhichhehadneverfeltbefore.Hedidnotknowwhatwasthematterwithhim.Hecouldnotfindhiswayoutofthedarkandoutoftheturmoilthatwheeledaroundhim.Hehadhadnoexperiencewithwomen.Therewasnoprecedenttoguidehim.
