Веснянки
Chapter X
“DoyouthinktheAngelknewshedidthat?”sheaskedsoftly.
“No,”saidMcLean;“Idonot.Butthepoorboyknewit.Heavenhelphim!”
TheBirdWomanstaredacrossthegentlywavingswale.“Idon’tseehowIamgoingtoblameher,”shesaidatlast.“It’ssoexactlywhatIwouldhavedonemyself.”
“Saytheremainder,”demandedMcLeanhoarsely.“Dohimjustice.”
“Hewasbornagentleman,”concededtheBirdWoman.“Hetooknoadvantage.Heneverevenofferedtotouchher.Whateverthatkissmeanttohim,herecognizedthatitwasthelovingimpulseofachildunderstressofstrongemotion.Hewasfineandmanlyasanymanevercouldhavebeen.”
McLeanliftedhishat.“Thankyou,”hesaidsimply,andpartedthebushesforhertoenterFreckles’room.
Itwasherfirstvisit.Beforesheleftshesentforhercamerasandmadestudiesofeachsideofitandofthecathedral.Shewasentrancedwiththedelicatebeautyoftheplace,whilehereyeskeptfollowingFrecklesasifshecouldnotbelievethatitcouldbehisconceptionandwork.
Thatwasahappyday.TheBirdWomanhadbroughtalunch,andtheyspreadit,withFreckles’dinner,onthestudyfloorandsat,restingandenjoyingthemselves.ButtheAngelputherbanjointoitscase,silentlygatheredhermusic,andnoonementionedtheconcert.
TheBirdWomanleftMcLeanandtheAngeltoclearawaythelunch,andwithFrecklesexaminedthewallsofhisroomandtoldhimallsheknewabouthisshrubsandflowers
