Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
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“Thereissomethinginthat,”observedMagnus,asHarrandrewupattheporchofthehouse.“Heisaqueer,cross-grainedfellow,butinmanywayssterling.”
Annixterwaslyinginthehammockontheporch,preciselyasPresleyhadfoundhimthedaybefore,reading“DavidCopperfield”andstuffinghimselfwithdriedprunes.WhenherecognisedMagnus,however,hegotup,thoughcarefultogiveevidenceofthemostpoignantdiscomfort.Heexplainedhisdifficultyatgreatlength,protestingthathisstomachwasnobetterthanaspongebag.WouldMagnusandHarrangetdownandhaveadrink?Therewaswhiskeysomewhereabout.
Magnus,however,declined.Hestatedhiserrand,askingAnnixtertocomeovertoLosMuertosthateveningforseveno’clockdinner.OstermanandBrodersonwouldbethere.
AtonceAnnixter,eventoHarran’ssurprise,puthischinintheair,makingexcuses,fearingtocompromisehimselfifheacceptedtooreadily.No,hedidnotthinkhecouldgetaround—wassureofit,infact.Therewerecertainbusinesseshehadonhandthatevening.HehadpracticallymadeanappointmentwithamanatBonneville;then,too,hewasthinkingofgoinguptoSanFranciscoto-morrowandneededhissleep;wouldgotobedearly;andbesidesallthat,hewasaverysickman;hisstomachwasoutofwhack;ifhemovedaboutitbroughtthegripesback.No,theymustgetalongwithouthim.
Magnus,knowingwithwhomhehadtodeal,didnoturgethepoint,beingconvincedthatAnnixterwouldargueovertheaffairtherestofthemorning.Here-settledhimselfinthebuggyandHarrangatheredupthereins.
