Chapter VI

           ThefollowingmorningFreckles,inexpressiblyhappy,circledtheLimberlost.Hekeptsnatchesofsongringing,aswellasthewires.Hisheartwassofullthattearsofjoyglistenedinhiseyes.HerigorouslystrovetodividehisthoughtevenlybetweenMcLeanandtheAngel.HerealizedtothefullestthedebthealreadyowedtheBossandthemagnitudeoflastnight’sdeclarationandpromises.HewashourlyplanningtodeliverhistrustandthenenterwithequalzealonwhatevertaskhisbelovedBosssawfittosethimnext.HewantedtobereadytomeeteverydevicethatWessnerandBlackJackcouldthinkoftooutwithim.Herecognizedtheirdoubleleverage,foriftheysucceededinfellingevenonetreeMcLeanbecameliableforhiswager.

           Freckles’browwrinkledinhisefforttothinkdeeplyandstrongly,butfromeveryswayingwildrosetheAngelbeckonedtohim.WhenhecrossedSleepySnakeCreekandthegoldfinch,waitingasever,challenged:“SEEME?”FrecklessawthedaintyswayinggraceoftheAngelinstead.WhatisamantodowithanAngelwhodismembersherselfandscattersoverawholeswamp,thrustingavividreminderuponhimateveryturn?

           Frecklescountedthedays.Thisfirstonehecoulddolittlebuttesthiswires,singbrokensnatches,anddream;butbeforetheweekwouldbringheragainhecoulddomanythings.Hewouldcarryallhisbookstotheswamptoshowtoher.Hewouldcompletehisflowerbed,arrangeeverydetailhehadplannedforhisroom,andmakeofitabowerfairiesmightenvy.Hemustdeviseawaytokeepwatercool.HewouldaskMrs.