Веснянки
Chapter VIII
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TheAngelcarriedthebrimming,frostyglasstoFreckles.Heremovedhishat,andliftingtheicyliquidevenwithhereyesandlookingstraightintothem,hesaidinthemellowestofallthemellowtonesofhisvoice:“I’llbedrinkingittotheSwampAngel.”
Ashehadsaidtoherthatfirstday,shenowcautionedhim:“Bedrinkingslowly.”
Whenthescreen-doorswungbehindthem,oneofthemenatthecounteraskedoftheattendant:“Now,whatdidthatmean?”
“Exactlywhatyousaw,”repliedhe,rathercurtly.“We’reaccustomedtoithere.Hardlyadaypasses,thishotweather,butshe’spickingupsomepoor,god-forsakenmortalandbringinghimin.Thenshecomesbehindthecounterherselfandfixesupadrinktosuittheoccasion.She’sallsortsoffanciesaboutwhat’swhatforallkindsoftimesandconditions,andyoubetshecanjusthitthespot!Ain’taclerkherecanputupadrinktotouchher.She’sasortofknackatit.Everyonceinawhile,whentheBossseesher,hecallsouttohertomixhimadrink.”
“Anddoesshe?”askedthemanwithaninterestedgrin.
“Well,Iguess!Butfirstshegoesbackandseeshowlongitissincehe’shadadrink.Whathedranklast.Howwarmheis.Whenheatelast.Thenshecomeshereandmixesaglassoffizzwithalittletouchofacid,andabitofcherry,lemon,grape,pineapple,orsomethingsourandcooling,andithitsthespotjustasnospotwaseverhitbefore.IhonestlybelievethattheINTERESTshetakesinitishalfthetrick,forIwatchhercloselyandIcan’tcomewithingunshotofherconcoctions.
