Веснянки
Chapter XVI
Let’sgohelp!”
“Hadn’twebettermarkthattreeagain?”cautionedtheAngel.“It’sawayinhere.There’ssuchalotofthem,andallsomuchalike.We’dfeelgoodandgreentofinditandthenloseit.”
Frecklesliftedthesaplingtoreplaceit,buttheAngelmotionedhimaway.
“Useyourhatchet,”shesaid.“Ipredictthisisthemostvaluabletreeintheswamp.Youfoundit.I’mgoingtoplaythatyou’remyknight.Now,younailmycolorsonit.”
Shereachedup,andpullingabluebowfromherhair,untiedanddoubleditagainstthetree.Frecklesturnedhiseyesfromherandmanagedthefasteningwithshakingfingers.TheAngelhadcalledhimherknight!DearLord,howhelovedher!Shemustnotseehisface,orsurelyherquickeyeswouldreadwhathewasfightingtohide.Hedidnotdarelayhislipsonthatribbonthen,butthatnighthewouldreturntoit.Whentheyhadgonealittledistance,theybothlookedback,andthemorningbreezesetthebitofbluewavingthemafarewell.
Theywalkedatarapidpace.
“Iamsorryaboutscaringthebirds,”saidtheAngel,“butit’salmosttimeforthemtogoanyway.Ifeeldreadfullyoverhavingtheswampruined,butisn’titadelighttohearthegood,honestringofthoseaxes,insteadofstrainingyourearsforstealthysounds?Isn’titfinetogoopenlyandfreely,withnothingworsethanasnakeorapoison-vinetofear?”
“Ah!”saidFreckles,withalongbreath,“it’sbetterthanyoucandream,Angel.
