Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Butinafewmomentshereturned,askingpardonforthedelay.

           Hewasallaffability;hisprotrudingeyes,thatgavesuchanunusual,foreignappearancetohisverydarkface,radiatedgeniality.Hewasevidentlyanxioustoplease,toproduceagoodimpressionuponthegrave,clumsyfarmersbeforewhomhestood.Butatthesametime,Presley,watchinghimfromhisplaceonthesofa,couldimaginethathewasrathernervous.Hewastoonimbleinhiscordiality,andthelittlegestureshemadeinbringinghiscuffsintoviewandintouchingtheendsofhistight,blackmustachewiththeballofhisthumbwererepeatedwithunnecessaryfrequency.

           “Mr.Broderson,myson,Lyman,myeldestson.Mr.Annixter,myson,Lyman.”

           TheGovernorintroducedhimtotheranchers,proudofLyman’sgoodlooks,hiscorrectdress,hiseaseofmanner.Lymanshookhandsallaround,keepingupaflowofsmalltalk,findinganewphraseforeachmember,complimentingOsterman,whomhealreadyknew,uponhistalentfororganisation,recallingamutualacquaintancetothemindofoldBroderson.Atlength,however,hesatdownattheendofthetable,oppositehisbrother.Therewasasilence.

           MagnusrosetorecapitulatethereasonsfortheextrasessionoftheCommittee,statingagainthattheBoardofRailwayCommissionerswhichthey—theranchers—hadsucceededinseatinghadatlengthissuedthenewscheduleofreducedrates,andthatMr.DerrickhadbeenobligingenoughtooffertocomedowntoLosMuertosinpersontoacquaintthewheat-growersoftheSanJoaquinwiththenewratesforthecarriageoftheirgrain.