Белая птичка
The Runaway Perambulator
IthinkImusthavesteppedoveragratefulfairyatthatmoment,forwhoelsecouldhaveremindedmesoopportunelyofmyfamousmanipulationoftheeyebrows,forgottensinceIwasinthefifthform?Ialoneofboyshadbeenabletoelevateandlowermyeyebrowsseparately;whentheonewasclimbingmyforeheadtheotherdescendedit,likethetwobucketsinthewell.
MostdiffidentlydidIcallthisaccomplishmenttomyaidnow,andimmediatelyDavidcheckedhisforcesandconsideredmyunexpectedmovementwithoutprejudice.Hisfaceremainedasitwas,hismouthopentoemitthehowlifIdidnotsurpassexpectation.Isawthat,likethefair-mindedboyhehasalwaysbeen,hewasgivingmemychance,andIworkedfeverishly,mychieffearbeingthat,owingtohisyouth,hemightnotknowhowmarvellouswasthisthingIwasdoing.Itisanappealtotheintellect,aswellastothesenses,andnooneonearthcandoitexceptmyself.
WhenIpausedforamomentexhaustedhesignedgravely,withunchangedface,thatthoughitwasundeniablyfunny,hehadnotyetdecidedwhetheritwasfunnyenough,and,takingthisforencouragement,atitIwentoncemore,tillIsawhisforceswavering,whenIsentmylefteyebrowupalmostfartherthanIcouldbringitback,andwiththatIhadhim,thesmilebrokethroughtheclouds.
Inthemidstofmyhard-wontriumphIheardcheering.
Ihadbeenvaguelyconsciousthatwewerenotquitealone,buthadnotdaredtolookawayfromDavid;Ilookednow,andfoundtomyannoyancethatIwasthecentreofadeeplyinterestedgatheringofchildren.
