Веснянки
Chapter VI
Heneverhadcountedtheneststhatheknewof,anditmightbethatamongallthebirdsoftheswampsomewouldberaretoher.
ThefeatheredfolkoftheLimberlostwerepracticallyundisturbedsavebytheirnaturalenemies.Itwasveryprobablethatamonghischickensothersasoddasthebigblackonescouldbefound.Ifshewantedpicturesofhalf-grownbirds,hecouldpickupfiftyinonemorning’striparoundtheline,forhehadfed,handled,andmadefriendswiththemeversincetheireyesopened.
Hehadgatheredbugsandwormsallspringashenoticedthemonthegrassandbushes,anddroppedthemintothefirstlittleopenmouthhehadfound.Thebabiesgladlyhadacceptedthisqueertri-parentadditiontotheirnaturalproviders.
Whentheweekhadpassed,Freckleshadhisroomcrispandglowingwithfreshlivingthingsthatrepresentedeverycoloroftheswamp.Hecarriedbarkandfilledallthemuckiestplacesofthetrail.
ItwasmiddleJuly.TheheatofthepastfewdayshaddriedthewateraroundandthroughtheLimberlost,sothatitwaspossibletocrossitonfootinalmostanydirection—ifonehadanideaofdirectionanddidnotbecomecompletelylostinitsranktangleofvegetationandbushes.Thebrighter-huedflowerswereopening.Thetrumpet-creeperswereflauntingtheirgorgeoushornsofredandgoldsweetnessfromthetopsoflordlyoakandelm,andbelowentirepoolswerepink-sheetedinmallowbloom.
TheheatwasdoingoneotherthingthatwasboundtomakeFreckles,asagoodIrishman,shiver.Astheswaledried,itsinhabitantswereseekingthecoolerdepthsoftheswamp.
