Белые люди
Chapter IV
Suddenlyhelookedpale,andhisbreathcaughtitself.
“IsaidWeeElspeth,WeeBrownElspeth.Shewasonlyachildwhoplayedwithme,”Istammered,“whenIwaslittle.”
Hepulledhimselftogetheralmostinstantly,thoughthecolordidnotcomebacktohisfaceatonceandhisvoicewasnotsteadyforafewseconds.Buthelaughedoutrightathimself.
“Ibegyourpardon,”heapologized.“Ihavebeenillandamrathernervous.Ithoughtyousaidsomethingyoucouldnotpossiblyhavesaid.Ialmostfrightenedyou.Andyouwereonlyspeakingofalittleplaymate.Pleasegoon.”
“Iwasonlygoingtosaythatshewasfairlikethat,fairerthananyoneIhadeverseen;butwhenweplayedtogethersheseemedlikeanyotherchild.ShewasthefirstIeverknew.”
Itoldhimaboutthemistydayonthemoor,andaboutthepaletroopersandthebig,leanleaderwhocarriedElspethbeforehimonhissaddle.Ihadnevertalkedtoanyoneaboutitbefore,noteventoJeanBraidfute.Butheseemedtobesointerested,asifthelittlestoryquitefascinatedhim.Itwasonlyanepisode,butitbroughtintheweirdnessofthemoorandmychildishfanciesaboutthethingshidinginthewhitemist,andthecastlefrowningonitsrock,andmybabyfacepressedagainstthenurserywindowinthetower,andAngusandthelibrary,andJeanandhergoodnessandwiseways.Itwasdreadfultotalksomuchaboutoneself.Buthelistenedso.Hiseyesneverleftmyface—theywatchedandheldmeasifhewereenthralled.Sometimesheaskedaquestion.
“Iwonderwhotheywere—thehorsemen?”hepondered.
