Веснушки
Chapter XX
“Goon,Freckles,”hesaidassuringly.
“It’sthis,”saidFreckles.“ItoldhimthatIwouldpayonlythreehundreddollarsfortheAngel’sstone.I’mthinkingthatwithwhathehaslaidupforme,andthebignessofthingsthattheAngeldidforme,itseemslikeastingylittlesumtohim.IknowhethinksIshouldbegivingmuchmore,butIfeelasifIjusthadtobebuyingthatstonewithmoneyIearnedmeself;andthatisallIhavesavedofmewages.Idon’tmindpayingforthemuff,orthedrexingtable,orMrs.Duncan’sthings,fromthatothermoney,andlatertheAngelcanhaveeverylastcentofmegrandmother’s,ifshe’lltakeit;butjustnow—oh,sir,can’tyouseethatIhavetobebuyingthisstonewithwhatIhaveinthebank?I’mfeelingthatIcouldn’tdoanyotherway,anddon’tyouthinktheAngelwouldratherhavethebeststoneIcanbuywiththemoneyIearnedmeselfthanafineronepaidforwithothermoney?”
“Inotherwords,Freckles,”saidtheBossinahuskyvoice,“youdon’twanttobuytheAngel’sringwithmoney.Youwanttogiveforityourfirstawfulfearoftheswamp.Youwanttopayforitwiththelonelinessandhearthungeryouhavesufferedthere,withlastwinter’sfreezingonthelineandthissummer’sburninginthesun.Youwantittostandtoherforeveryhourinwhichyouriskedyourlifetofulfillyourcontracthonorably.Youwantthepriceofthatstonetobethefearsthathavechilledyourheart—thesweatandbloodofyourbody.”
Freckles’eyeswerefilledwithtearsandhisfacequiveringwithfeeling.
“DearMr.
