Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
“Well,”heobserved,“youknowyourbusinessbest.Comeifyoucan.Wedineatseven.”
“IhearyouaregoingtofarmthewholeofLosMuertosthisseason,”remarkedAnnixter,withacertainnoteofchallengeinhisvoice.
“Wearethinkingofit,”repliedMagnus.
Annixtergruntedscornfully.
“DidyougetthemessageIsentyoubyPresley?”hebegan.
Tactless,blunt,anddirect,AnnixterwasquitecapableofcallingevenMagnusafooltohisface.Butbeforehecouldproceed,S.Behrmaninhissinglebuggyturnedintothegate,anddrivingleisurelyuptotheporchhaltedontheothersideofMagnus’steam.
“Good-morning,gentlemen,”heremarked,noddingtothetwoDerricksasthoughhehadnotseenthemearlierintheday.“Mr.Annixter,howdoyoudo?”
“WhatinhelldoYOUwant?”demandedAnnixterwithastare.
S.Behrmanhiccoughedslightlyandpassedafathandoverhiswaistcoat.
“Why,notverymuch,Mr.Annixter,”hereplied,ignoringthebelligerencyintheyoungranchman’svoice,“butIwillhavetolodgeaprotestagainstyou,Mr.Annixter,inthematterofkeepingyourlinefenceinrepair.Thesheepwerealloverthetracklastnight,thissidetheLongTrestle,andIamafraidtheyhaveseriouslydisturbedourballastalongthere.We—therailroad—can’tfencealongourrightofway.Thefarmershavetheprescriptiverightofthat,sowehavetolooktoyoutokeepyourfenceinrepair.
