Веснянки
Chapter VIII
“Theganggottherealittleafternoonandtookoutthetree,butImusttellyou,andyoumusttelltheBirdWoman,thatthere’snodoubtbuttheywillbecomingback,andtheywillhavetomakeitbeforelongnow,forit’ssoonthegangwillbetheretoworkontheswamp.”
“Oh,whatashame!”criedtheAngel.“They’llclearoutroads,cutdownthebeautifultrees,andtearupeverything.They’lldriveawaythebirdsandspoilthecathedral.Whentheyhavedonetheirworst,thenallthesemillscloseherewillfollowinandtakeoutthecheaptimber.Thenthelandownerswilldigafewditches,buildsomefires,andintwosummersmoretheLimberlostwillbeincornandpotatoes.”
Theylookedateachother,andgroaneddespairinglyinunison.
“Youlikeit,too,”saidFreckles.
“Yes,”saidtheAngel,“Iloveit.Yourroomisalittlepiecerightoutoftheheartoffairyland,andthecathedralisGod’swork,notyours.YouonlyfounditandopenedthedoorafterHehaditcompleted.Thebirds,flowers,andvinesareallsolovely.TheBirdWomansaysitisreallyafactthatthemallows,foxfire,iris,andliliesarelargerandofrichercoloringtherethanintheremainderofthecountry.Shesaysit’sbecauseoftherichloamandmuck.Ihateseeingtheswamptornup,andtoyouitwillbelikelosingyourbestfriend;won’tit?”
“Somethinglike,”saidFreckles.“Still,I’vetheLimberlostinmeheartsothatallofitwillberealtomewhileIlive,nomatterwhattheydotoit.
