Веснянки
Chapter XVI
Others,newsincethattime,hadheardthetalerehearsedinitseveryaspectaroundthesmudge-firesatnight.AlmostallofthemknewtheAngelbysightfromhertripswiththeBirdWomantotheirleases.Theyallknewherfather,herposition,andtheluxuriesofherhome.Whatevercourseshehadchosenwiththemtheyscarcelywouldhaveresentedit,buttheAngelneverhadbeenknowntochooseacourse.Herspiritoffriendlinesswasinbornandinbred.Shelovedeveryone,soshesympathizedwitheveryone.Hergenerositywasonlylimitedbywhatwasinherpowertogive.
Shecamedownthetrail,handinhandwiththered-haired,freckledtimberguardwhomshehadwornherselfpastthelimitofendurancetosaveonlyafewweeksbefore,racinginhereagernesstoreachthem,andlaughingher“Goodmorning,gentlemen,”rightandleft.Whenshewasensconcedonthewagonloadoftenting,shesatonarollofcanvasasaqueenonherthrone.Therewasnotamanofthegangwhodidnotrespecther.Shewasalivingexponentofuniversalbrotherhood.Therewasnomanamongthemwhoneededherexquisitefaceordaintyclothingtoteachhimthatthedeferencedueagentlewomanshouldbepaidher.Thatthespiritofgoodfellowshipsheradiatedleviedanespecialtributeofitsown,anditbecametheirdelighttohonorandpleaseher.
Astheyracedtowardthewagon—“Letmetellaboutthetree,please?”shebeggedFreckles.
“Why,sure!”saidFreckles.
Heprobablywouldhavesaidthesametoanythingshesuggested.
