Веснянки
Chapter XVI
“I’lltellyou.Let’sgohelpMrs.Duncanwithdinnerandplaywiththebaby.Iloveanice,cleanbaby.”
Theystartedtowardthecabin.Everyfewminutestheystoppedtoinvestigatesomethingortochatteroversomenaturalhistorywonder.TheAngelhadquickeyes;sheseemedtoseeeverything,butFreckles’wereevenquicker;forlifeitselfhaddependedontheirsharpnesseversincethebeginningofhisworkattheswamp.Theysawitatthesametime.
“Someonehasbeenmakingaflagpole,”saidtheAngel,runningthetoeofhershoearoundthestump,evidentlymadethatseason.“Freckles,whatwouldanyonecutatreeassmallasthatfor?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidFreckles.
“Well,butIwanttoknow!”saidtheAngel.“Noonecameawayhereandcutitforfun.They’vetakenitaway.Let’sgobackandseeifwecanseeitanywherearoundthere.”
Sheturned,retracedherfootsteps,andbeganeagerlysearching.Frecklesdidthesame.
“Thereitis!”heexclaimedatlast,“leaningagainstthetrunkofthatbigmaple.”
“Yes,andleaningtherehaskilledapatchofdriedbark,”saidtheAngel.“Seehowdrieditappears?”
Frecklesstaredather.
“Angel!”heshouted,“Ibetyouit’samarkedtree!”
“Courseitis!”criedtheAngel.“Noonewouldcutthatsaplingandcarryitawaythereandleanitupfornothing.I’lltellyou!ThisisoneofJack’smarkedtrees.He’sclimbedupthereaboveanyone’shead,peeledthebark,andcutintothegrainenoughtobesure.Thenhe’slaidthebarkbackandfasteneditwiththatpoletomarkit.
