Белый клык
The Love-Master
ButWhiteFang’sthroathadbecomeharsh-fibredfromthemakingofferocioussoundsthroughthemanyyearssincehisfirstlittleraspofangerinthelairofhiscubhood,andhecouldnotsoftenthesoundsofthatthroatnowtoexpressthegentlenesshefelt. Nevertheless,WeedonScott’searandsympathywerefineenoughtocatchthenewnoteallbutdrownedinthefierceness—thenotethatwasthefaintesthintofacroonofcontentandthatnonebuthecouldhear.
Asthedayswentby,theevolutionoflikeintolovewasaccelerated. WhiteFanghimselfbegantogrowawareofit,thoughinhisconsciousnessheknewnotwhatlovewas. Itmanifesteditselftohimasavoidinhisbeing—ahungry,aching,yearningvoidthatclamouredtobefilled. Itwasapainandanunrest;anditreceivedeasementonlybythetouchofthenewgod’spresence. Atsuchtimeslovewasjoytohim,awild,keen-thrillingsatisfaction. Butwhenawayfromhisgod,thepainandtheunrestreturned;thevoidinhimsprangupandpressedagainsthimwithitsemptiness,andthehungergnawedandgnawedunceasingly.
WhiteFangwasintheprocessoffindinghimself. Inspiteofthematurityofhisyearsandofthesavagerigidityofthemouldthathadformedhim,hisnaturewasundergoinganexpansion. Therewasaburgeoningwithinhimofstrangefeelingsandunwontedimpulses. Hisoldcodeofconductwaschanging. Inthepasthehadlikedcomfortandsurceasefrompain,dislikeddiscomfortandpain,andhehadadjustedhisactionsaccordingly. Butnowitwasdifferent. Becauseofthisnewfeelingwithinhim,heofttimeselecteddiscomfortandpainforthesakeofhisgod. Thus,intheearlymorning,insteadofroamingandforaging,orlyinginashelterednook,hewouldwaitforhoursonthecheerlesscabin-stoopforasightofthegod’sface.
