Веснянки

           Thoseawfulmilesofcorduroy!Wouldtheyneverend?Shedidnotdareusethewheeltooroughly,forifitbrokeshenevercouldarriveontimeafoot.Whereherwaywasimpassableforthewheel,shejumpedoff,andpushingitbesideherorcarryingit,sheranasfastasshecould.Thedaywasfearfullywarm.ThesunpouredwiththefiercebakingheatofAugust.Thebushesclaimedherhat,andshedidnotstopforit.

           Whereitwasatallpossible,theAngelmountedandpoundedoverthecorduroyagain.Shewaspantingforbreathandalmostwornoutwhenshereachedthelevelpike.Shehadnoideahowlongshehadbeen—andonlytwomilescovered.Sheleanedoverthebars,almoststandingonthepedals,racingwithallthestrengthinherbody.Thebloodsurgedinherearswhileherheadswam,butshekeptastraightcourse,androdeandrode.Itseemedtoherthatshewasstandingstill,whilethetreesandhouseswereracingpasther.

           Onceafarmer’sbigdogrushedangrilyintotheroadandsheswerveduntilshealmostfell,butsheregainedherbalance,andsettinghermuscles,pedaledasfastasshecould.Atlastsheliftedherhead.Surelyitcouldnotbeoveramilemore.Shehadcoveredtwoofcorduroyandatleastthreeofgravel,anditwasonlysixinall.

           Shewasreelinginthesaddle,butshegrippedthebarswithnewenergy,andraceddesperately.Thesunbeatonherbareheadandhands.Justwhenshewaschokingwithdust,andalmostprostratewithheatandexhaustion—crash,sheranintoabrokenbottle.Snap!wentthetire;thewheelswervedandpitchedover.