Веснушки

           “Whatwasittheguardbroughtthere?”McLeanaskedinanefforttodistractFreckles’thoughts.

           “Oh!”Frecklessaid,glancingwheretheBosspointed,“Iforgotit!’Tisanotter,andfinepastbelieving,forthiswarmweather.Ishotitatthecreekthismorning.’Twasagoodshot,considering.Iexpectedtomiss.”

           FrecklespickeduptheanimalandstartedtowardMcLeanwithit,butNellieprickedupherdaintylittleears,dancedintotheswale,andsnortedwithfright.Frecklesdroppedtheotterandrantoherhead.

           “Forpity’ssake,getheronthetrail,sir,”hebegged.“She’sjustaboutwheretheoldkingrattlercrossestogointotheswamp—theoldbusterDuncanandIhavebeentellingyouof.Ihaven’tadoubtbutitwastheoneMotherDuncanmet.’Twasdownthetrailthere,justalittlefartheron,thatIfoundher,andit’ssuretobecloseyet.”

           McLeanslidfromNellie’sback,ledherintothetrailfartherdowntheline,andtiedhertoabush.Thenhewenttoexaminetheotter.Itwasarare,bigspecimen,withexquisitelyfine,long,silkyhair.

           “Whatdoyouwanttodowithit,Freckles?”askedMcLean,ashestrokedthesoftfurlingeringly.“Doyouknowthatitisveryvaluable?”

           “Iwasforalmostprayingso,sir,”saidFreckles.“AsIsawitcomingupthebankIthoughtthis:Oncesomewhereinabooktherewasapictureofayounggirl,andshewasjustabreathlikethebeautifulnessoftheAngel.Herhandswereinamuffasbigasherbody,andIthoughtitwassopretty.Ithinkshewassomequeen,orthelike.