Веснянки
Chapter XI
“Andyouaskmewherethelaughcomesin,lookingmeinthefaceafterthat,”marveledFreckles.
“Iwouldn’tbesofoolishastolaughatsuchamanifesttruthasthat,”saidtheAngel.“AnyonewhoknowsyouevenhalfaswellasIdo,knowsthatyouareneverguiltyofadiscourtesy,andyoumovewithtwicethegraceofanymanhere.Whyshouldn’tyoufeelasifyoubelongedwherepeoplearegracefulandcourteous?”
“Onmesoul!”saidFreckles,“youarekindtobethinkingit.Youaredoublykindtobesayingit.”
Thecurtainspartedandawomancametowardthem.Hersilksandlacestrailedacrossthepolishedfloors.Thelightsgleamedonherneckandarms,andflashedfromrarejewels.Shewassmilingbrightly;anduntilshespoke,FreckleshadnotrealizedfullythatitwashislovedBirdWoman.
Noticinghisbewilderment,shecried:“Why,Freckles!Don’tyouknowmeinmywarclothes?”
“IdointheuniforminwhichyoufighttheLimberlost,”saidFreckles.
TheBirdWomanlaughed.Thenhetoldherwhyhehadcome,butshescarcelycouldbelievehim.Shecouldnotsayexactlywhenshewouldgo,butshewouldmakeitassoonaspossible,forshewasmostanxiousforthestudy.
Whiletheytalked,theAngelwasbusypackingaboxofsandwiches,cake,fruit,andflowers.Shegavehimalastfrostyglass,thankedhimrepeatedlyforbringingnewsofnewmaterial;thenFreckleswentintothenight.HerodetowardtheLimberlostwithhiseyesonthestars.Presentlyheremovedhishat,hungittohisbelt,andruffledhishairtothesweepofthenightwind.
