Веснянки

           “IwishIcoulddosomething,”shehalfwhispered.

           Jackseemedtoincreaseaninchinheight.

           “What?”heaskedhoarsely.

           “LariatBillusedalwaystohaveabunchofredflowersinhisshirtpocket.Theredlituphisdarkeyesandolivecheeksandmadehimsplendid.MayIputsomeredflowersonyou?”

           Frecklesstaredashewheezedforbreath.Hewishedtheearthwouldopenandswallowhim.Washedeadoralive?SincehisAngelhadseenBlackJacksheneverhadglancedhisway.Wasshecompletelybewitched?Wouldshethrowherselfattheman’sfeetbeforethemall?Couldn’tshegivehimevenonethought?Hadn’tsheseenthathewasgaggedandbound?DidshetrulythinkthatthesewereMcLean’smen?Why,shecouldnot!Itwasonlyafewdaysagothatshehadbeencloseenoughtothismanandangryenoughwithhimtopeelthehatfromhisheadwithashot!Suddenlyathingshehadsaidjestinglytohimonedaycamebackwithstartlingforce:“YoumusttakeAngelsontrust.”Ofcourseyoumust!ShewashisAngel.Shemusthaveseen!Hislife,andwhatwasfarmore,herown,wasinherhands.Therewasnothinghecoulddobuttrusther.Surelyshewasworkingoutsomeplan.

           TheAngelkneltbesidehisflowerbedandrecklesslytoreupbytherootsabigbunchoffoxfire.

           “Thesestemsaresotoughandsticky,”shesaid.“Ican’tbreakthem.Loanmeyourknife,”sheorderedFreckles.

           Asshereachedfortheknife,herbackwasforonesecondtowardthemen.Shelookedintohiseyesanddeliberatelywinked.