Веснянки

           WhenMcLeancame,hefoundtheAngelflushedandglowing,sittingonthewagon,herhandsalreadyfilled.Oneofthemen,whowascuttingascrub-oak,hadcarriedtoherahandfulofcrimsonleaves.Anotherhadgatheredabunchofdelicatemarsh-grassheadsforher.Someoneelse,intakingoutabush,hadfoundadaintilybuiltandlinedlittlenest,freshaswhenmade.

           ShehelduphertreasuresandgreetedMcLean,“Goodmorning,Mr.BossoftheLimberlost!”

           Thegangshouted,whilehebowedprofoundlybeforeher.

           “Everyonelisten!”criedtheAngel,climbingarollofcanvas.“Ihavesomethingtosay!Freckleshasbeenguardinghereoverayearnow,andhepresentstheLimberlosttoyou,witheverytreeinitsaved;forgoodmeasurehehasthismorninglocatedtherarestoneofthemall:theoneinfromtheeastline,thatWessnerspokeofthefirstday—nearesttheoneyoutookout.Alltogether!Everyone!HurrahforFreckles!”

           Withflushingcheeksandgleamingeyes,gailywavingthegrassaboveherhead,sheledinthreecheersandatiger.Frecklesslippedintotheswampandhidhimself,forfearhecouldnotconcealhisprideandhisgreatsurging,throbbingloveforher.

           TheAngelsubsidedonthecanvasandexplainedtoMcLeanaboutthemaple.TheBosswasmightilypleased.HetookFrecklesandsetouttore-locateandexaminethetree.TheAngelwasinterestedinthemakingofthecamp,soshepreferredtoremainwiththemen.Withhersharpeyesshewaswatchingeverydetailofconstruction;butwhenitcametothestretchingofthedining-hallcanvassheproceededtotakecommand.