Веснянки
Chapter XV
“Now,let’sbetellingtheBirdWomanaboutit!”heshouted,wildlydancingandswinginghishat.
“Wegotit!Wegotit!Ibetafarmwegotit!”
Handinhandtheyrantothenorthendoftheswamp,yelling“Wegotit!”likeyoungComanches,andnevergaveathoughttowhattheymightdountilabigblue-graybird,withlongneckandtrailinglegs,aroseonflappingwingsandsailedovertheLimberlost.
TheAngelbecamewhitetothelipsandgrippedFreckleswithbothhands.Hegulpedwithmortificationandturnedhisback.
Tofrightenhersubjectawaycarelessly!ItwastheheadcrimeintheBirdWoman’scategory.Sheextendedherhandsasshearose,baked,blistered,anddripping,andexclaimed:“Blessyou,mychildren!Blessyou!”Andittrulysoundedasifshemeantit.
“Why,why——”stammeredthebewilderedAngel.
Freckleshurriedintothebreach.
“Youmustbeforblamingiteverybitonme.IwasthinkingwegotLittleChicken’spicturerealgood.IwassodrunkwiththejoyofitIlostallmesensesand,’Let’sruntelltheBirdWoman,’saysI.LikeafoolIwasforrunning,andIsortofdraggedtheAngelalong.”
“OhFreckles!”expostulatedtheAngel.“Areyouloony?Ofcourse,itwasallmyfault!I’vebeenwithherhundredsoftimes.IknewperfectlywellthatIwasn’ttoletanything—NOTANYTHING—scareherbirdaway!IwassocrazyIforgot.Theblameisallmine,andshe’llneverforgiveme.”
“Shewill,too!”criedFreckles.
