Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter VIII
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OnthisnearerviewMinnaobservedthatthewoman’sfaceborerathermorethanatraceofenamelandthattheatmosphereaboutwasimpregnatedwithsachet.Shewasnototherwiseconspicuous,buttherewasacertainhardnessabouthermouthandacertaindroopoffatigueinhereyelidswhich,combinedwithanindefiniteself-confidenceofmanner,heldMinna’sattention.
“Doyouknow,”continuedthewoman,“Ibelieveyouareintrouble.IthoughtsowhenIsawyouontheboat,andIthinksonow.Areyou?Areyouintrouble?You’refromthecountry,ain’tyou?”
Minna,gladtofindasympathiser,eveninthischanceacquaintance,admittedthatshewasindistress;thatshehadbecomeseparatedfromhermother,andthatshewasindeedfromthecountry.
“I’vebeentryingtofindasituation,”shehazardedinconclusion,“butIdon’tseemtosucceed.I’veneverbeeninacitybefore,exceptBonneville.”
“Well,itISacoincidence,”saidtheother.“IknowIwasn’tdrawntoyoufornothing.Iamlookingforjustsuchayounggirlasyou.Yousee,IlivealoneagooddealandI’vebeenwantingtofindanice,bright,sociablegirlwhowillbeasortofCOMPANIONtome.Understand?Andthere’ssomethingaboutyouthatIlike.ItooktoyouthemomentIsawyouontheboat.Nowshallwetalkthisover?”
Towardstheendoftheweek,oneafternoon,asPresleywasreturningfromhisclub,hecamesuddenlyfacetofacewithMinnauponastreetcorner.
“Ah,”hecried,comingtowardherjoyfully.“Uponmyword,Ihadalmostgivenyouup.I’vebeenlookingeverywhereforyou.
