Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter VIII
“Pardonmeformentioningit,butyourdinnermustbemyexcuse.”
“Andthisasparagus—sinceMr.Lamberthassetthebadexample,”observedMrs.Cedarquist,“sodelicate,suchanexquisiteflavour.Howdoyoumanage?”
“WegetallourasparagusfromthesouthernpartoftheState,fromoneparticularranch,”explainedMrs.Gerard.“Weorderitbywireandgetitonlytwentyhoursaftercutting.Myhusbandseestoitthatitisputonaspecialtrain.Itstopsatthisranchjusttotakeonourasparagus.Extravagant,isn’tit,butIsimplycannoteatasparagusthathasbeencutmorethanaday.”
“NorI,”exclaimedJulianLambert,whoposedasanepicure.“Icantelltoanhourjusthowlongasparagushasbeenpicked.”
“Fancyeatingordinarymarketasparagus,”saidMrs.Gerard,“thathasbeenfingeredbyHeavenknowshowmanyhands.”
“Mammy,mammy,wakeup,”criedHilda,tryingtopushopenMrs.Hooven’seyelids,atlastclosed.“Mammy,don’t.You’rejusttryingtofrightenme.”
FeeblyHildashookherbytheshoulder.AtlastMrs.Hooven’slipsstirred.Puttingherheaddown,Hildadistinguishedthewhisperedwords:
“I’msick.Gotoschleep....Sick....Noddingstoeat.”
Thedessertwasawonderfulpreparationofalternatelayersofbiscuitglaces,icecream,andcandiedchestnuts.
“Delicious,isitnot?”observedJulianLambert,partlytohimself,partlytoMissCedarquist.“ThisMoscovitefouette—uponmyword,Ihavenevertasteditsequal.”
“Andyoushouldknow,shouldn’tyou?”returnedtheyounglady.
“Mammy,mammy,wakeup,”criedHilda
