Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
Theslightestmovementofherheadandshoulderssentagentleundulationthroughallthisbeautyofsoftoutlinesandsmoothsurfaces,thedelicateambershadowsdeepeningorfadingorlosingthemselvesimperceptiblyintheprettyrose-colourofhercheeks,orthedark,warm-tintedshadowofherthickbrownhair.
Herhairseemedalmosttohavealifeofitsown,almostMedusa-like,thick,glossyandmoist,lyinginheavy,sweet-smellingmassesoverherforehead,overhersmallearswiththeirpinklobes,andfardownuponhernape.Deepinbetweenthecoilsandbraidsitwasofabitumenbrownness,butinthesunlightitvibratedwithasheenliketarnishedgold.
Likemostlargegirls,hermovementswerenothurried,andthisindefinitedeliberatenessofgesture,thisslowgrace,thiscertaineaseofattitude,wasacharmthatwasallherown.
ButHilma’sgreatestcharmofallwashersimplicity—asimplicitythatwasnotonlyinthecalmregularityofherface,withitsstatuesqueevennessofcontour,itsbroadsurfaceofcheekandforeheadandthemassesofherstraightsmoothhair,butwasapparentaswellinthelonglineofhercarriage,fromherfoottoherwaistandthesingledeepswellfromherwaisttohershoulder.Almostunconsciouslyshedressedinharmonywiththisnoteofsimplicity,andonthisoccasionworeaskirtofplaindarkbluecalicoandawhiteshirtwaistcrispfromthelaundry.
Andyet,forallthedignityofthisrigouroussimplicity,therewereaboutHilmasmallcontradictorysuggestionsoffemininedaintiness,charmingbeyondwords.
