Веснянки

           McLeansaysthatyouneveroncehavefailedintactandcourtesy.Hesaysthatyouarethemostperfectgentlemanheeverknew,andhehastraveledtheworldover.Howdoesithappen,Freckles?NooneatthatHometaughtyou.Hundredsofmencouldn’tbetaught,eveninaschoolofetiquette;soitmustbeinstinctivewithyou.Ifitis,why,thatmeansthatitisborninyou,andadirectinheritancefromaraceofmenthathavebeengentlemenforages,andcouldn’tbeanythingelse.

           “Thenthere’syoursinging.Idon’tbelievethereeverwasamortalwithasweetervoicethanyours,andwhilethatdoesn’tproveanything,thereisapointthatdoes.Thelittletrainingyouhadfromthatchoirmasterwon’taccountforthewonderfulaccentandeasewithwhichyousing.Somewhereinyourclosebloodisamarvelouslytrainedvocalist;weeveryoneofusbelievethat,Freckles.

           “Whydoesmyfatherrefertoyouconstantlyasbeingoffineperceptionsandhonor?Becauseyouare,Freckles.WhydoestheBirdWomanleaveherpreciousworkandcomeheretohelplookafteryou?Ineverheardofherlosinganytimeoveranyoneelse.It’sbecauseshelovesyou.AndwhydoesMr.McLeanturnallofhisvaluablebusinessovertohiredmenandwatchyoupersonally?Andwhyishehuntingexcuseseverydaytospendmoneyonyou?MyfathersaysMcLeanisfullScotch-closewithadollar.Heisahard-headedbusinessman,Freckles,andheisdoingitbecausehefindsyouworthyofit.