BLIX
by Frank Norris
1899
CONTENTS
| Chapter I | Chapter II | Chapter III | Chapter IV | Chapter V |
| Chapter VI | Chapter VII | Chapter VIII | Chapter IX | Chapter X |
| Chapter XI | Chapter XII | Chapter XIII | Chapter XIV |
Chapter I
It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over themantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halvedwatermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate. Then she wentdown to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sundaymorning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for thesecond time.
As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window atthe end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out. Theview was wonderful. The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Streethill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of thebuilding. The contractor had been clever enough to reverse theposition of kitchen and dining-room, so that the latter room was at therear of the house. From its window one could command a sweep of SanFrancisco Bay and the Contra Costa shore, from Mount Diablo, along pastOakland, Berkeley, Sausalito, and Mount Tamalpais, out to the GoldenGate, the Presidio, the ocean, and even—on very clear days—to theFarrallone islands.
For some time Victorine stood looking down at the great expanse of landand sea, then faced about with an impatient exclamation.
On Sundays all the week-day regime of the family was deranged, andbreakfast was a movable feast, to be had any time after seven or beforehalf-past nine. As Victorine was pouring the ic