Веснянки
Chapter XI
Duncanandthebabies.Won’tthatbefun?”
Frecklesthoughtthatitwouldbemorethanfun,andfolloweddelightedly.
TheAngelgavehimabigglass,brimmingwithsomeicy,sparklingliquidthatstruckhispalateasitneverhadbeentouchedbefore,becauseacombinationoffrostyfruitjuiceshadnotbeenafrequentbeveragewithhim.Thenightwaswarm,andtheAngelmostbeautifulandkind.Atripledeliriumofspirit,mind,andbodyseizeduponhimanddevelopedaboldnessallunnatural.Heslightlypartedtheheavycurtainsthatseparatedtheconservatoryfromthecompanyandlookedbetween.Healmoststoppedbreathing.Hehadreadofthingslikethat,butheneverhadseenthem.
Theopenspaceseemedtostretchthroughhalfadozenrooms,allablazewithlights,perfumedwithflowers,andfilledwithelegantlydressedpeople.Therewereglimpsesofpolishedfloors,sparklingglass,andfinefurnishings.Fromsomewhere,thevoiceofhisbelovedBirdWomanaroseandfell.
TheAngelcrowdedbesidehimandwaswatchingalso.
“Doesn’titlookpretty?”shewhispered.
“DoyousupposeHeavenisanyfinerthanthat?”askedFreckles.
TheAngelbegantolaugh.
“Doyouwanttobelaughingharderthanthat?”queriedFreckles.
“Alaughisalwaysgood,”saidtheAngel.“Alittlemoreavoirdupoiswon’thurtme.Goahead.”
“Wellthen,”saidFreckles,“it’sonlythatIfeelalloverasifIbelongedthere.Icouldwearfineclothes,andmoveoverthosefloors,andholdmeownagainstthebestofthem.”
“Butwheredoesmylaughcomein?”demandedtheAngel,asifshehadbeendefrauded.
