Веснянки
Chapter XIV
”
Heliftedhisfaceandgazedacrosstheswale,withhisjawssetfirmlyaminute,asifgatheringhisforces.Thenhespoke.
“It’stheAngel,sir,”hesaid.
InstinctivelyMcLean’sgriponhimtightened,andFreckleslookedintotheBoss’sfaceinwonder.
“Itried,theotherday,”saidFreckles,“andIcouldn’tseemtomakeyousee.It’sonlythattherehasn’tbeenanhour,wakingorsleeping,sincethedayshepartedthebushesandlookedintomeroom,thatthefaceofherhasn’tbeenbeforemeinallthetinderness,beauty,andmischiefofit.Shetalkedtomefriendlylike.Shetrustedmeentirelytotakerightcareofher.Shehelpedmewiththingsaboutmebooks.ShetraitedmelikeIwasbornagintleman,andsharedwithmeasifIwereofherownblood.Shewalkedthestreetsofthetownwithmebeforeherfriendswithalltheprideofaqueen.Sheforgotherselfanddidn’tmindtheBirdWoman,andrunbigriskstohelpmeoutthatfirstday,sir.Thislasttimeshewalkedintothatgangofmurderers,tooktheirleader,andtwistedhimtothewillofher.Sheoutdonehimandracedthelifealmostoutofhertryingtosaveme.
“SinceIcanremimber,whateverthethingwasthathappenedtomeinthebeginninghasbeenmecurse.I’vebeenbitter,hard,andsmartingunderithopelessly.Shecameby,andfoundmevoice,andputhopeoflifeandsuccesslikeothermenintomeinspiteofit.”
Freckleshelduphismaimedarm.
“Lookatit,sir!”hesaid.“AthousandtimesI’vecursedit,hangingtherehelpless.
