Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Arealizationofhisboundlesshappinessinthislovehegaveandreceived,thethoughtthatHilmaTRUSTEDhim,aknowledgeofhisownunworthiness,avastandhumblethankfulnessthathisGodhadchosenhimofallmenforthisgreatjoy,hadbroughthimtohiskneesforthefirsttimeinallhistroubled,restlesslifeofcombatandaggression.Heprayed,heknewnotwhat,—vaguewords,wordlessthoughts,resolvingfiercelytodoright,tomakesomereturnforGod’sgiftthusplacedwithinhishands.

           WhereonceAnnixterhadthoughtonlyofhimself,henowthoughtonlyofHilma.ThetimewhenthisthoughtofanothershouldbroadenandwidenintothoughtofOTHERS,wasyettocome;butalreadyithadexpandedtoincludetheunbornchild—already,asinthecaseofMrs.Dyke,ithadbroadenedtoenfoldanotherchildandanothermotherboundtohimbynotiesotherthanthoseofhumanityandpity.Intime,startingfromthispointitwouldreachoutmoreandmoretillitshouldtakeinallmenandallwomen,andtheintolerantselfishman,whileretainingallofhisnativestrength,shouldbecometolerantandgenerous,kindandforgiving.

           Forthemoment,however,thetwonaturesstruggledwithinhim.Afightwastobefought,onemore,thelast,thefiercest,theattackoftheenemywhomenacedhisveryhomeandhearth,wastoberesisted.Then,peaceattained,arresteddevelopmentwouldoncemoreproceed.

           Hilmalookedfromthecarry-all,scanningtheopenplaininfrontoftheadvancinglineofthedrive.

           “Wherearetherabbits?”sheaskedofAnnixter.“Idon’tseeanyatall.