Веснянки

           NobodywilleverbeguessingsomeofthethingsI’vebeenthroughtryingtokeepmepromisetotheBoss,andtoholdoutuntilthisday.Thatit’scomewithonlyonefreshstump,andthelogfromthatsaved,andthisnewtreetoreport,isn’titgrand?MaybeMr.McLeanwillbeforgettingthatstumpwhenheseesthistree,Angel!”

           “Hecan’tforgetit,”saidtheAngel;andinanswertoFreckles’startledeyessheadded,“becauseheneverhadanyreasontorememberit.Hecouldn’thavedoneawhitbetterhimself.Myfathersaysso.You’reallright,Freckles!”

           Shereachedhimherhand,andastwochildren,theybrokeintoarunwhentheycamecloserthegang.Theylefttheswampbythewestroadandfollowedthetrailuntiltheyfoundthemen.TotheAngelitseemedcompletecharm.Intheshadiestspotonthewestsideoftheline,attheedgeoftheswampandverycloseFreckles’room,theywerecuttingbushesandclearingspaceforabigtentforthemen’ssleeping-quarters,anotherforadining-hall,andaboardshackforthecook.Theteamsterswereunloading,thehorseswerecroppingleavesfromthebushes,whileeachmanwasdoinghisparttowardtheconstructionofthenewLimberlostquarters.

           FreckleshelpedtheAngelclimbonawagonloadofcanvasintheshade.Sheremovedherleggings,wipedherheatedface,andglowedwithhappinessandinterest.

           Theganghadbeensiftedcarefully.McLeannowfeltthattherewasnotamaninitwhowasnottrustworthy.

           TheyallhadheardoftheAngel’spluckyrideforFreckles’relief;severalofthemhadbeenintherescueparty.