Веснянки

           Hewastiredandsleepy,sohewentintothelogtobed,andforanhourheneverstirred.

           Theywerebecominganxious,forthelightsoonwouldbegone,andtheyhadsowantedtotryforthepicture.AtlastLittleChickenliftedhishead,openedhisbeak,andgapedwidely.Hedozedaminuteortwomore.TheAngelsaidthatwashisbeautysleep.Thenhelazilygapedagainandstoodup,stretchingandyawning.Heambledleisurelytowardthegateway,andtheAngelsaid:“Now,wemayhaveachance,atlast.”

           “Idohopeso,”shiveredFreckles.

           Withoneaccordtheyarosetotheirkneesandtrainedtheireyesonthemouthofthelog.Thelightwasfullandstrong.LittleChickenprospectedagainwithnoresults.Hedressedhisplumage,polishedhisbeak,andwhenhefeltfineandinfulltoilethebegantoflirtwithhimself.Freckles’eyessnappedandhisbreathsuckedbetweenhisclenchedteeth.

           “He’sgoingtodoit!”whisperedtheAngel.“Thatwillcomenext.You’llbestgivemethatbulb!”

           “Yis,”assentedFreckles,buthewaslookingatthelogandhemadenomovetorelinquishthebulb.

           LittleChickennoddeddaintilyandruffledhisfeathers.Hegavehisheadsundrylittlesidewisejerksandrapidlyshiftedhispointofvision.Oncetherewasthefleetinglittleghostofasmirk.

           “Now!—No!”snappedtheAngel.

           Frecklesleanedtowardthebird.Tenselyhewaited.UnconsciouslythehandoftheAngelclaspedhis.Hescarcelyknewitwasthere.SuddenlyLittleChickensprangstraightintheairandlandedwithathud.TheAngelstartedslightly,butFreckleswasimmovable.