Веснушки

           McLean,”hesaid,reachingwithacaressovertheBoss’sblackhairandhischeek.“DearBoss,that’swhyI’vewantedyouso.Iknewyouwouldknow.Nowyouwillbelookingatthese?Idon’twantemeralds,becausethat’swhatshegaveme.”

           Hepushedthegreenstonesintoalittleheapofrejectedones.Thenhesingledoutallthepearls.

           “Ain’ttheyprettythings?”hesaid.“I’llbegettinghersomeofthoselater.Theyarelikelilyfaces,turtle-headflowers,dewdropsintheshadeormoonlight;buttheyhaven’tthelifeinthemthatIwantinthestoneIgivetotheAngelrightnow.”

           Frecklesheapedthepearlswiththeemeralds.Hestudiedthediamondsalongtime.

           “Thesethingsaresofascinatingliketheyalmosttemptone,thoughtheyain’tquitetheproperthing,”hesaid.“I’vealwaysdearlylovedtobewatchingyours,sir.Imustgethersomeofthesebigones,too,someday.They’reliketheLimberlostinJanuary,whenit’sallice-coated,andthesunisinthewestandshinesthroughandmakesallyoucanseeofthewholeworldlooklikefireandice;butfireandiceain’tliketheAngel.”

           Thediamondsjoinedtheemeraldsandpearls.Therewasleftalittleredheap,andFreckles’fingerstoucheditwithanewtenderness.Hiseyeswereflashing.

           “I’mthinkinghere’smeAngel’sstone,”heexulted.“TheLimberlost,andmewithit,grewinmine;butit’sgoingtobloom,andherwithit,inthis!There’stheredofthewildpoppies,thecardinal-flowers,andthelittlebunchofcrushedfoxfirethatwefoundwheresheputittosaveme.