Веснянки
Chapter I
AllIaskofyouistocometomeatonceatthesouthcampandtellmeasamanifyoufindthisjobtoohardforyou.Itwillnotsurpriseme.Itisworkthatfewmenwouldperformfaithfully.WhatnameshallIputdown?”
Freckles’gazeneverleftMcLean’sface,andtheBosssawtheswiftspasmofpainthatswepthislonely,sensitivefeatures.
“Ihaven’tanyname,”hesaidstubbornly,“nomorethanonesomebodyclappedontomewhentheyputmeontheHomebooks,withnotthethoughtorcarethey’dnameahousecat.I’veseenhowtheyenterthosepoorlittleabandoneddevilsoftenenoughtoknow.Whattheycalledmeisnomoremynamethanitisyours.Idon’tknowwhatmineis,andIneverwill;butIamgoingtobeyourmananddoyourwork,andI’llbegladtoanswertoanynameyouchoosetocallme.Won’tyoupleasebegivingmeaname,Mr.McLean?”
TheBosswheeledabruptlyandbeganstackinghisbooks.Whathewasthinkingwasprobablywhatanyothergentlemanwouldhavethoughtinthecircumstances.Withhiseyesstilldowncast,andinavoiceharshwithhuskiness,hespoke.
“Iwilltellyouwhatwewilldo,mylad,”hesaid.“Myfatherwasmyidealman,andIlovedhimbetterthananyotherIhaveeverknown.Hewentoutfiveyearsago,butthathewouldhavebeenproudtoleaveyouhisnameIfirmlybelieve.IfIgivetoyouthenameofmynearestkinandthemanIlovedbest—willthatdo?”
Freckles’rigidattituderelaxedsuddenly.Hisheaddropped,andbigtearssplashedonthesoiledcalicoshirt
