Белая птичка
The Little House
Never,Tonyfelt,couldhehopeforabetterchance.
Hehadtofeelthis,forMaimiesoplainlyfeltitforhim.Hereagereyesaskedthequestion,“Isitto-day?”andhegaspedandthennodded.MaimieslippedherhandintoTony’s,andherswashot,buthiswascold.Shedidaverykindthing;shetookoffherscarfandgaveittohim!“Incaseyoushouldfeelcold,”shewhispered.Herfacewasaglow,butTony’swasverygloomy.
AstheyturnedonthetopoftheHumphewhisperedtoher,“I’mafraidNursewouldseeme,soIsha’n’tbeabletodoit.”
Maimieadmiredhimmorethaneverforbeingafraidofnothingbuttheirayah,whenthereweresomanyunknownterrorstofear,andshesaidaloud,“Tony,Ishallraceyoutothegate,”andinawhisper,“Thenyoucanhide,”andofftheyran.
Tonycouldalwaysoutdistancehereasily,butneverhadsheknownhimspeedawaysoquicklyasnow,andshewassurehehurriedthathemighthavemoretimetohide.“Brave,brave!”herdotingeyeswerecryingwhenshegotadreadfulshock;insteadofhiding,herherohadrunoutatthegate!AtthisbittersightMaimiestoppedblankly,asifallherlapfulofdarlingtreasuresweresuddenlyspilled,andthenforverydisdainshecouldnotsob;inaswellofprotestagainstallpulingcowardssherantoSt.Govor’sWellandhidinTony’sstead.
WhentheayahreachedthegateandsawTonyfarinfrontshethoughtherotherchargewaswithhimandpassedout.Twilightcameon,andscoresandhundredsofpeoplepassedout,includingthelastone,whoalwayshastorunforit,butMaimiesawthemnot.
