The
Californians by Gertrude Atherton chapter 6
·
Magdalena had failed at every point. She had
expected to fail, but she felt miserable and discouraged, nevertheless….With
the sad philosophy of her nature she put the impossible for her, and considered
the future. It had been arranged long ago that she, Helena, Ila and Tiny, were
to come out at the same time; the great function which should introduce to San
Francisco three of its most beautiful girls.. (311)
·
… stared in fascinated amazement at the red
tongues darting among the blackened shells, the crashing roofs, the black
masses of smoke above, cut with narrow swords of flame, the solid pillar of
fire above the factory, the futile streams of water, the gallant efforts of the
firemen….. her brain a medley of new sensations, as Helena went about,
questioning, fascinating, sympathizing, giving. It was the first time she had
seen poverty; she had barely heard of its existence…(314)
·
…it was her father she feared, not the law…. She
had been a dociled child, and her father’s anger had never been visited upon
her; but she had seen his frightful outburst at the servants… (315)
·
…he called her a “greaser.” She had all the
pride of her race. This insult stifled her. She felt smirched and degraded.
(316)
·
His face had turned livid, then purple. “”Dios!”
he gasped…. Her father sprang to his feet with a yell of rage. He caught his
riding –whip from the mantel… She turned her back on it and sat down on the
floor. She had not uttered a word as her father beat her. .. But her
self-respect had been cut through at every blow, and it quivered and writhed
within her. She hated her father and she hated life with an intensity which
added to her misery, and she decided that she had made her last confession to
any one but the priest, who always forgave her. (320)
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