Веснянки

           TheAngelrolledintothethickyellowdustoftheroadandlayquietly.

           Fromafar,Duncanbegantonoticeastrange,dust-coveredobjectintheroad,asheheadedtowardtownwiththefirstloadoftheday’sfelling.

           Hechirrupedtothebaysandhurriedthemallhecould.AshenearedtheAngel,hesawitwasawomanandabrokenwheel.Hewasbesideherinaninstant.Hecarriedhertoashadedfence-corner,stretchedheronthegrass,andwipedthedustfromthelovelyfacealldirt-streaked,crimson,andbearingastartlingwhitenessaroundthemouthandnose.

           Wheelswerecommonenough.Manyofthefarmers’daughtersownedandrodethem,butheknewthesesamefarmers’daughters;thisfacewasastranger’s.HeglancedattheAngel’stumbledclothing,thesilkinessofherhair,withitspalesatinribbon,andnoticedthatshehadlostherhat.Herlipstightenedinanominousquiver.Heleftherandpickedupthewheel:ashehadsurmised,heknewit.This,then,wasFreckles’SwampAngel.TherewastroubleintheLimberlost,andshehadbrokendownracingtoMcLean.Duncanturnedthebaysintoafence-corner,tiedoneofthem,unharnessedtheother,fastenedupthetracechains,andhurriedtothenearestfarmhousetosendhelptotheAngel.Hefoundawoman,whotookabottleofcamphor,ajugofwater,andsometowels,andstartedontherun.

           ThenDuncanputthebaytospeedandracedtocamp.

           TheAngel,leftalone,laystillforasecond,thensheshiveredandopenedhereyes.Shesawthatshewasonthegrassandthebrokenwheelbesideher.