Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Inthatruggedcomposition,confused,dark,harsh,afurrowhadbeendrivendeep,alittleseedplanted,alittleseedatfirstweak,forgotten,lostinthelowerdarkplacesofhischaracter.

           Butastheintellectmovedslower,itsfunctionsgrowingnumb,theideaofselfdwindled.Annixternolongerconsideredhimself;nolongerconsideredthenotionofmarriagefromthepointofviewofhisowncomfort,hisownwishes,hisownadvantage.Herealisedthatinhisnewfounddesiretomakeherhappy,hewassincere.Therewassomethinginthatidea,afterall.Tomakesomeonehappy—howaboutthatnow?Itwasworththinkingof.

           Faraway,lowdownintheeast,adimbelt,agreylightbegantowhitenoverthehorizon.ThetoweroftheMissionstoodblackagainstit.Thedawnwascoming.Thebafflingobscurityofthenightwaspassing.Hiddenthingswerecomingintoview.

           Annixter,hiseyeshalf-closed,hischinuponhisfist,allowedhisimaginationfullplay.HowwoulditbeifheshouldtakeHilmaintohislife,thisbeautifulyounggirl,pureashenowknewhertobe;innocent,noblewiththeinbornnobilityofdawningwomanhood?Anoverwhelmingsenseofhisownunworthinesssuddenlyboredownuponhimwithcrushingforce,ashethoughtofthis.Hehadgoneaboutthewholeaffairwrongly.Hehadbeenmistakenfromtheveryfirst.Shewasinfinitelyabovehim.Hedidnotwant—heshouldnotdesiretobethemaster.Itwasshe,hisservant,poor,simple,lowlyeven,whoshouldcondescendtohim.