Мартин Иден

Chapter 16

           Martin,afterafewinstructions,sortedthegreatheapsofsoiledclothes,whileJoestartedthemasherandmadeupfreshsuppliesofsoft-soap,compoundedofbitingchemicalsthatcompelledhimtoswathehismouthandnostrilsandeyesinbath-towelstillheresembledamummy. Finishedthesorting,Martinlentahandinwringingtheclothes. Thiswasdonebydumpingthemintoaspinningreceptaclethatwentatarateofafewthousandrevolutionsaminute,tearingthewaterfromtheclothesbycentrifugalforce. ThenMartinbegantoalternatebetweenthedryerandthewringer,betweentimes"shakingout"socksandstockings. Bytheafternoon,onefeedingandone,stackingup,theywererunningsocksandstockingsthroughthemanglewhiletheironswereheating. Thenitwashotironsandunderclothestillsixo’clock,atwhichtimeJoeshookhisheaddubiously. 

           "Waybehind,"hesaid. "Gottoworkaftersupper." Andaftersuppertheyworkeduntilteno’clock,undertheblazingelectriclights,untilthelastpieceofunder-clothingwasironedandfoldedawayinthedistributingroom. ItwasahotCalifornianight,andthoughthewindowswerethrownwide,theroom,withitsred-hotironing-stove,wasafurnace. MartinandJoe,downtoundershirts,barearmed,sweatedandpantedforair. 

           "Liketrimmingcargointhetropics,"Martinsaid,whentheywentupstairs. 

           "You’lldo,"Joeanswered. "Youtakeholdlikeagoodfellow. Ifyoukeepupthepace,you’llbeonthirtydollarsonlyonemonth. Thesecondmonthyou’llbegettin’yourforty. Butdon’ttellmeyouneverironedbefore. Iknowbetter." 

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