Веснянки

           Shetookitonthestreet,beforeallthepeople,justasifshedidn’tseethatitwasathingtohideandshrinkfrom.AgainandagainI’vehadthefeelingwithher,ifIdidn’tentirelyforgetit,thatshedidn’tseeitwasgoneandImusthepointingitouttoher.Hertouchonitwassosacred-like,attimessinceI’vecaughtmeselflookingattheawfulthingnearlikeIwasproudofit,sir.IfIhadbeenbornyoursonshecouldn’tbetraitingmemoreasherequal,andshecan’thelpknowingyouain’ttrulymefather.NobodycanknowthehomelinessortheignoranceofmebetterthanIdo,andallmelackofbirth,relatives,andmoney,andwhat’sitalltoher?”

           Frecklessteppedback,squaredhisshoulders,andwitharoyalliftofhisheadlookedstraightintotheBoss’seyes.

           “Yousawherinthebeautifullittleroomofher,andyoucan’tbeforgettinghowshebeggedandpleadwithyouforme.Shetouchedmebody,and’twassanctified.Shelaidherlipsonmybrow,and’twassacrament.Nobodyknowstheheightofherbetterthanme.Nobody’sstudiedmydepthscloser.There’snobridgeforthegreatdistancebetweenus,sir,andclearestofall,I’mforrealizingit:butsheriskedterriblethingswhenshecametomeamongthatgangofthieves.Sheworeherselfpastbearingtosavemefromsuchaneasythingasdeath!Now,here’sme,aman,abig,strongman,andlettingherliveunderthatfearfuloath,soworsethananydeath’twouldbeforher,andliftingnotafingertosaveher.Icannothearit,sir.