Веснянки
Chapter VIII
Herfatherstoodinabigwindowfrontingthestreet,abundleofpapersinhishand,interestedlywatchingthelittlescene,witheyesthatcomprehendedquiteasthoroughlyasifhehadheardeveryword.TheAngelcaughthisglanceandmadeadespairinglittlegesturetowardFreckles.TheManofAffairsansweredherwithalookofinfinitetenderness.Henoddedhisheadandwavedthepapersinthedirectionshehadindicated,andtheveriestdoltcouldhavereadthewordshislipsformed:“Takehimalong!”
AsuddentremblingseizedFreckles.AtsightoftheAngel’sfatherhehadsteppedbackasfarfromherashecould,leanedthewheelagainsthim,andsnatchedoffhishat.
TheAngelturnedonhimwithtriumphingeyes.
Shewashighlystrungandnotaccustomedtobeingthwarted.“DidYouseethat?”shedemanded.“Nowareyousatisfied?Willyoucome,ormustIcallapolicemantobringyou?”
Freckleswent.Therewasnothingelsetodo.Guidinghiswheel,hewalkeddownthestreetbesideher.Oneveryhandshewaskeptbusygivingandreceivingthecheeriestgreetings.Shewalkedintotheparlorsexactlyasifsheownedthem.Aclerkcamehurryingtomeether.
“There’satablevacantbesideawindowwhereitiscool.I’llsaveitforyou,”andhestartedback.
“Pleasenot,”saidtheAngel.“I’vetakenthismanunawares,whenhe’sinarush.I’mafraidifwesitdownwe’lltaketoomuchtimeandafterwardhewillblameme.”
Shewalkedtothefountain,andalongrowofpeoplestaredwithallthevaryingdegreesofinsolenceandcuriositythatFreckleshadfelttheywould.
