Веснянки

           TheBirdWomaninsistedupontakingtheAngelintothecarriageandfollowingthecot,butsherefusedtoleaveFreckles,andsuggestedthattheBirdWomandriveahead,packthemsomeclothing,andbeatthestationreadytoaccompanythemtoChicago.AllthewaytheAngelwalkedbesidethecot,shadingFreckles’facewithabranch,andholdinghishand.Ateverypausetochangecarriersshemoistenedhisfaceandlipsandwatchedeachbreathwithheart-breakinganxiety.

           Shescarcelyknewwhenherfatherjoinedthem,andtakingthebranchfromher,slippedanarmaroundherwaistandalmostcarriedher.Tothecitystreetsandtheswarmofcurious,staringfacesshepaidnomoreattentionthanshehadtothetreesoftheLimberlost.WhenthetraincameandthegangplacedFrecklesaboard,bigDuncanmadeaplacefortheAngelbesidethecot.

           Withthebestphysiciantobefound,andwiththeBirdWomanandMcLeaninattendance,thefour-hours’runtoChicagobegan.TheAngelconstantlywatchedoverFreckles;bathedhisface,strokedhishand,andgentlyfannedhim.Notforaninstantwouldsheyieldherplace,orallowanyoneelsetodoanythingforhim.TheBirdWomanandMcLeanregardedherinamazement.Thereseemedtobenoendtoherresourcesandcourage.TheonlytimeshespokewastoaskMcLeanifheweresurethespecialwouldbereadyonthePittsburghroad.Herepliedthatitwasmadeupandwaiting.

           Atfiveo’clockFreckleslaystretchedontheoperating-tableofLakeViewHospital,whilethreeofthegreatestsurgeonsinChicagobentoverhim.