Веснянки
Chapter II
Noticetheircoloragainsttheiceandsnow,andtheprettyskippin’waysofthem!Andspunky!Weel,I’mheatfair!”
Frecklesemptiedhiscap,turnedhispocketsandscatteredhislastgrain.Thenhewavedhiswatchingfriendsgood-byeandstarteddownthetimber-line.
Aweeklater,DuncanandFrecklesarosefrombreakfasttofacethebitterestmorningofthewinter.WhenFreckles,warmlycappedandgloved,steppedtothecornerofthekitchenforhisscrap-pail,hefoundabigpanofsteamingboiledwheatonthetopofit.HewheeledtoMrs.Duncanwithashiningface.
“Wereyoufixingthiswarmfoodformechickensoryours?”heasked.
“It’sforyours,Freckles,”shesaid.“Iwasafearedthiscoldweathertheywadnalaygoodwithoutawarmbitenowandthen.”
Duncanlaughedashesteppedtotheotherroomforhispipe;butFrecklesfacedMrs.Duncanwithatraceofeverypangofstarvedmother-hungerheeverhadsufferedwrittenlargeonhishomely,splotched,narrowfeatures.
“Oh,howIwishyouweremymother!”hecried.
Mrs.Duncanattemptedanechoofherhusband’slaugh.
“Lordlovethelad!”sheexclaimed.“Why,Freckles,areyenobrightenoughtolearnwithoutbeingtaughtbyawomanthatIamyourmither?Ifagreatmanlikeyoursel’dinnakenthat,learnitnowandne’erforgetit.Anceawomanisthewifeofanyman,shebecomeswifetoallmenforhavinghadthewifelyexperienceshekens!Anceaman-childhasbeatenhiswaytolifeundertheheartofawoman,sheismithertoallmen,fortheheartsofmithersareeverywherethesame.
