Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V.
However,canyounotwritemealetter,statingexactlyhowthecampaignwasconducted,andthecommissionnominatedandelected?Icouldshowthistosomeofthemoredisaffected,anditwouldservetoallayallsuspicionontheinstant.Ithinkitwouldbewelltowriteasthoughtheinitiativecame,notfromme,butfromyourself,ignoringthispresentletter.Iofferthisonlyasasuggestion,andwillconfidentlyendorseanydecisionyoumayarriveat.”
Theletterclosedwithrenewedprotestationsofconfidence.
Magnuswasalonewhenhereadthis.Heputitcarefullyawayinthefilingcabinetinhisoffice,andwipedthesweatfromhisforeheadandface.Hestoodforonemoment,hishandsrigidathissides,hisfistsclinched.
“Thisispilingup,”hemuttered,lookingblanklyattheoppositewall.“MyGod,thisispilingup.WhatamItodo?”
Ah,thebitternessofunavailingregret,theanguishofcompromisewithconscience,theremorseofabaddeeddoneinamomentofexcitement.Ah,thehumiliationofdetection,thedegradationofbeingcaught,caughtlikeaschoolboypilferinghisfellows’desks,and,worsethanall,worsethanall,theconsciousnessoflostself-respect,theknowledgeofaprestigevanishing,adignityimpaired,knowledgethatthegripwhichheldamultitudeincheckwastrembling,thatcontrolwaswavering,thatcommandwasbeingweakened.
