Веснянки

           ”

           TheydidexplainsosatisfactorilythatinafewminutestheAngelwasonherfeet,hurryingLordandLadyO’Moretoreachthehospital.“YousaidFreckles’oldnurseknewhismother’spictureinstantly,”saidtheAngel.“Iwantthatpictureandthebundleoflittleclothes.”

           LadyO’Moregavethemintoherhands.

           Thelikenesswasalargeminiature,paintedonivory,withaframeofbeatengold.Surroundedbymassesofdarkhairwasadelicatelycutface.IntheupperpartofittherewasnotraceofFreckles,butthelipscurvinginasmilewerehisveryown.TheAngelgazedatitsteadily.ThenwithaquiveringbreathshelaidtheportraitasideandreachedbothhandstoLordO’More.

           “ThatwillsaveFreckles’lifeandinsurehishappiness,”shesaidpositively.“Thankyou,ohthankyouforcoming!”

           Sheopenedthebundleofyellowandbrownlinenandgaveonlyaglanceatthetextureandwork.Thenshegatheredthelittleclothesandthepicturetoherheartandledthewaytothecab.

           UsheringLordandLadyO’Moreintothereceptionroom,shesaidtoMcLean,“Pleasegocallupmyfatherandaskhimtocomeonthefirsttrain.”

           Sheclosedthedoorafterhim.

           “TheseareFreckles’people,”shesaidtotheBirdWoman.“Youcanfindoutabouteachother;I’mgoingtohim.”