Веснянки
Chapter I
“TheHomewasinChicago,andIwasthereallmelifeuntilthreemonthsago.WhenIwastoooldforthetrainingtheygavetothelittlechildren,theysentmetotheclosestwardschoolaslongasthelawwouldletthem;butIwasneverlikeanyoftheotherchildren,andtheyallknewit.I’dtogoandcomelikeaprisoner,andbeworkingaroundtheHomeearlyandlateformeboardandclothes.Ialwayswantedtolearnmightybad,butIwasgladwhenthatwasover.
“Everyfewdays,allmelife,I’dtobecalledup,lookedover,andrefusedahomeandlove,onaccountofmehandanduglyface;butitwasallthehomeI’deverknown,andIdidn’tseemtobelongtoanyplaceelse.
“Thenanewsuperintendentwasputin.Hewasn’tforbeinglikeanyoftheothers,andhesworehe’dweedmeoutthefirstthinghedid.HemadeaplantosendmedowntheStatetoamanhesaidheknewwhoneededaboy.Hewasn’tforrememberingtotellthatmanthatIwasahandshort,andheknockedmedowntheminutehefoundIwastheboywhohadbeensenthim.Betweennoonandthatevening,heandhissonclosemyagehadmeinprettymuchthesameshapeinwhichIwasfoundinthebeginning,soIlayawakethatnightandranaway.I’dliketohavesquaredmeaccountwiththatboybeforeIleft,butIdidn’tdareforfearofwakingtheoldman,andIknewIcouldn’thandlethetwoofthem;butI’mhopingtomeethimalonesomedaybeforeIdie.”
McLeantuggedathismustachetohidethesmileonhislips,buthelikedtheboyallthebetterforthisconfession.
