Веснянки
Chapter II
Shehadahotdrinkreadyforhimwhenhecamefromafreezingdayonthetrail.Sheknithimaheavymittenforhislefthand,anddevisedawaytosewandpadtherightsleevethatprotectedthemaimedarminbitterweather.Shepatchedhisclothing—frequentlytornbythewire—andsavedkitchenscrapsforhisbirds,notbecausesheeitherkneworcaredanythingaboutthem,butbecausesheherselfwascloseenoughtotheswamptobetouchedbyitsutterloneliness.WhenDuncanlaughedatherforthis,sheretorted:“MyGod,mannie,ifFreckleshadnathebirdsandthebeastshewouldbealwaysalone.Itwasnevermeantforahumanbeingtobesosolitary.He’dgettouchedintheheadifhehadnathemtothinkforandtotalkto.”
“Howmuchanswerdoyethinkhegetstohistalkin’,lass?”laughedDuncan.
“Hegetstheanswerthatkeepstheeyebright,thehearthappy,andthefeetwalkingfaithfultheroughpathhe’ssetthemin,”answeredMrs.Duncanearnestly.
Duncanwalkedawayappearingverythoughtful.ThenextmorninghegaveanearfromthecornhewasshellingforhischickenstoFreckles,andtoldhimtocarryittohiswildchickensintheLimberlost.Freckleslaugheddelightedly.
“Mechickens!”hesaid.“Whydidn’tIeverthinkofthatbefore?Ofcoursetheyare!Theyarejustlittle,brightlycoloredcocksandhens!But’wild’isnogood.Whatwouldyousaytome’wildchickens’beingagooddealtamerthanyourshereinyouryard?”
“Hoot,lad!”criedDuncan.
“Makeyourslightonyourheadandeatoutofyourhandsandpockets,”challengedFreckles.
