Веснянки
Chapter II
Severaloftheboldest,abigcrowandacoupleofjays,settledontherimandfeastedatleisure,whileacardinal,thathesitatedtoventure,fumedandscoldedfromatwigoverhead.
ThenFrecklesscatteredhisstore.AtoncethegroundresembledthespreadmantleofMontezuma,exceptthatthismassofgailycoloredfeatherswasonthebacksoflivingbirds.Whiletheyfeasted,Duncangrippedhiswife’sarmandstaredinastonishment;forfromthebushesanddrygrass,withgentlecheepingandqueer,throatychatter,asiftoencourageeachother,cameflocksofquail.Beforeanyonesawitarrive,abiggrayrabbitsatinthemidstofthefeast,contentedlygnawingacabbage-leaf.
“Weel,Ibedrawedon!”cameMrs.Duncan’stensewhisper.
“Shu-shu,”cautionedDuncan.
LastlyFrecklesremovedhiscap.Hebeganfillingitwithhandfulsofwheatfromhispockets.Inaswarmthegrain-eatersarosearoundhimasaflockoftamepigeons.Theyperchedonhisarmsandthecap,andinthestressofhunger,forgettingallcaution,abrilliantcockcardinalandanequallygaudyjayfoughtforaperching-placeonhishead.
“Weel,I’mbeat,”mutteredDuncan,forgettingthesilenceimposedonhiswife.“I’llhaetogivein.’Seein’isbelievin’.Amanwadhaetoseethattobelieveit.WemaunalettheBossmissthatsight,forit’sachancewillnolikelycometwiceinalife.Everythingissnowedunderandthaecratursnearstarved,buttrustin’Frecklesthatcompletetheyaretamerthanourchickens.Lookhard,bairns!”hewhispered.“Yewinnaseethelikeo’yonagain,whileGodletsyelive.
