Веснянки

           Theylikedneithertheheatnorleavingthefieldmice,moles,andyoungrabbitsoftheirchosenlocation.Hesawthemcrossingthetraileverydayastheheatgrewintense.Therattlersweresadlyforgettingtheirmanners,fortheystruckonnoprovocationwhatever,anddidnotevenremembertorattleafterward.DailyFreckleswascompelledtodrivebigblacksnakesandblueracersfromthenestsofhischickens.Oftentheterrifiedsquallsoftheparentbirdswouldreachhimfardownthelineandhewouldruntorescuethebabies.

           HesawtheAngelwhenthecarriageturnedfromthecorduroyintotheclearing.Theystoppedatthewestentrancetotheswamp,waitingforhimtoprecedethemdownthetrail,ashehadtoldthemitwassafestforthehorsethatheshoulddo.Theyfollowedtheeastlinetoapointoppositethebigchickens’tree,andFrecklescarriedinthecamerasandshowedtheBirdWomanapathhehadclearedtothelog.Heexplainedtohertheeffecttheheatwashavingonthesnakes,andcreepingbacktoLittleChicken,broughthimtothelight.Assheworkedatsettinguphercamera,hetoldherofthebirdsoftheline,whileshestaredathim,wide-eyedandincredulous.

           TheyarrangedthatFrecklesshoulddrivethecarriageintotheeastentranceintheshadeandthentakethehorsetowardthenorthtoabetterplaceheknew.ThenhewastoentertaintheAngelathisstudyoronthelineuntiltheBirdWomanfinishedherworkandcametothem.

           “Thiswilltakeonlyalittletime,”shesaid.