Веснянки
Chapter XVII
DuncanandtheBirdWoman.”
“It’snousetryingtodoanything,”saidFreckles.“Youwon’tforgetthemuffandtheChristmasbox.Themuffespecial?”
TherewasamovementabovethemsopronouncedthatitattractedFreckles’attention,eveninthatextremehour.Helookedup,andapleasedsmileflickeredonhisdrawnface.
“Why,ifitain’tmeLittleChicken!”hecriedhoarsely.“Hemustbemakinghisveryfirsttripfromthelog.NowDuncancanhavehisbigwatering-trough.”
“ItwasLittleChickenthatmademelate,”falteredtheAngel.“IwassoanxioustogethereearlyIforgottobringhisbreakfastfromthecarriage.Hemusthavebeenhungry,forwhenIpassedtheloghestartedafterme.Hewassowabbly,andsoslowflyingfromtreetotreeandthroughthebushes,Ijusthadtowaitonhim,forIcouldn’tdrivehimback.”
“Ofcourseyoucouldn’t!Mebirdhastooamazinggoodsinsetogobackwhenhecouldbefollowingyou,”exultedFreckles,exactlyasifhedidnotrealizewhatthedelayhadcosthim.Thenhelaysilentlythinking,butpresentlyheaskedslowly:“Andso’twasmeLittleChickenthatwasmakingyoulate,Angel?”
“Yes,”saidtheAngel.
AspasmoffiercepainshookFreckles,andalookofuncertaintycrossedhisface.
“AllsummerI’vebeenthankingGodforthefallingofthefeatherandallthedelightsit’sbroughtme,”hemuttered,“butthislooksasif——”
HestoppedshortandraisedquestioningeyestoMcLean.
“Ican’thelpbeingIrish,butIcanhelpbeingsuperstitious,”hesaid.
