Веснянки
Chapter XVII
Tellheryouknowdeathisthebestthingthatcouldeverbehappeningtome!”
“MercifulHeaven!”burstintheAngel.“Ican’tendurethisdelay!”
ShecaughtFreckles’handtoherbreast,andbendingoverhim,lookeddeeplyintohisstrickeneyes.
“’Angel,IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatIwillkeeprightonbreathing.’That’swhatyouaregoingtopromiseme,”shesaid.“Doyousayit?”
Freckleshesitated.
“Freckles!”imploringlycommandedtheAngel,“YOUDOSAYIT!”
“Yis,”gaspedFreckles.
TheAngelsprangtoherfeet.
“Thenthat’sallright,”shesaid,withatingeofherold-timebriskness.“Youjustkeepbreathingawaylikeasteamengine,andIwilldoalltheremainder.”
Theeagermengatheredaroundher.
“It’sgoingtobeatoughpulltogetFrecklesout,”shesaid,“butit’souronlychance,solistencloselyanddon’tforthelivesofyoufailmeindoingquicklywhatItellyou.There’snotimetospendfallingdownovereachother;wemusthavesomesystem.Youfourtheregetonthosewagonhorsesandridetothesleeping-tent.Getthestoutestcot,acoupleofcomforts,andapillow.Ridebackwiththemsomewaytosavetime.Ifyoumeetanyothermenofthegang,sendthemheretohelpcarrythecot.Wewon’triskthejoltofdrivingwithhim.Theothersclearapathouttotheroad;andMr.McLean,youtakeNellieandridetotown.TellmyfatherhowFrecklesishurtandthatheriskedittosaveme.TellhimI’mgoingtotakeFrecklestoChicagoonthenoontrain,andIwanthimtoholditifwearealittlelate.
