Веснянки
Chapter VIII
AndbysayingtoherandtheBirdWomanthatI’mmorethankfulthanI’llbehavingwordstoexpressforthebravethingstheywasdoingforme.I’mMcLean’sLimberlostguard,sir.”
“Whydon’tyoutakeityourself?”questionedtheManofAffairs.
Freckles’cleargrayeyesmetthoseoftheAngel’sfathersquarely,andheasked:“Ifyouwereinmyplace,wouldyoutakeittoheryourself?”
“No,Iwouldnot,”saidthatgentlemanquickly.
“ThenwhyaskwhyIdidnot?”cameFreckles’lamb-likequery.
“Blessme!”saidtheAngel’sfather.Hestaredatthepackage,thenattheliftedchinoftheboy,andthenatthepackageagain,andmuttered,“Excuseme!”
Frecklesbowed.
“Itwouldbefavoringmegreatlyifyouwoulddeliverthehatandthemessage.Goodmorning,sir,”andheturnedaway.
“Oneminute,”saidtheAngel’sfather.“SupposeIgiveyoupermissiontoreturnthishatinpersonandmakeyourownacknowledgments.”
Frecklesstoodonemomentthinkingintently,andthenheliftedthoseeyesofunswervingtruthandasked:“Whyshouldyou,sir?Youarekind,indade,tomentionit,andit’sthankingyouIamforyourgoodintintions,butmywantingtogooryourbeingwillingtohavemeain’tprovingthatyourdaughterwouldbewantingmeorcaretobotherwithme.”
TheAngel’sfatherlookedkeenlyintothefaceofthisextraordinaryyoungman,forhefoundittohisliking.
“There’soneotherthingImeanttosay,”saidFreckles.
