Веснянки
Chapter XVI
Yousee,there’realotofotherbigmaplesclosearoundit.Canyouclimbtothatplace?”
“Yes,”saidFreckles;“ifItakeoffmywading-bootsIcan.”
“Thentakethemoff,”saidtheAngel,“anddohurry!Can’tyouseethatIamalmostcrazytoknowifthistreeisamarkedone?”
Whentheypushedthesaplingover,apieceofbarkasbigasthecrownofFreckles’hatfellaway.
“Ibelieveitlookskindofnubby,”encouragedtheAngel,backingaway,withherfaceallscrewedintoatwistinanefforttointensifyhervision.
Frecklesreachedtheopening,thenslidrapidlytotheground.Hewasalmostbreathlesswhilehiseyeswereflashing.
“Thebark’sbeencutcleanwithaknife,thesapscrapedaway,andabigchiptakenoutdeep.Thetrunkisthetwistiestthingyoueversaw.It’sfullofeyesasabirdisoffeathers!”
TheAngelwasdancingandshakinghishand.
“Oh,Freckles,”shecried,“I’msodelightedthatyoufoundit!”
“ButIdidn’t,”saidtheastonishedFreckles.“Thattreeisn’tmyfind;it’syours.Iforgotitandwasgoingon;youwouldn’tgiveup,andkepttalkingaboutit,andturnedback.Youfoundit!”
“You’dbestbelookingafteryourreputationfortruthandveracity,”saidtheAngel.“Youknowyousawthatsaplingfirst!”
“Yes,afteryoutookmebackandsetmelookingforit,”scoffedFreckles.
Theclear,ringingechoofstronglyswungaxescamecrashingthroughtheLimberlost.
“’Tisthegang!”shoutedFreckles.“They’reclearingaplacetomakethecamp.
